Quite an eventful Saturday if I do say so and I do.

We started off quietly but then went over to Sears to buy a new dishwasher. I know that Kitchenaide is supposed to be a great dishwasher, but - we bought one a few years ago and have had nothing but trouble. So we got a good tax return and have decided to replace it. We picked out a Bosch which the salesman assured us is the Cadillac of dishwashers.

We will see.

Tonight we went to the Sheboygan Symphony. They presented a night of the German masters and featured Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn and someone named Neruda who wrote a Trumpet concerto. The amazing thing is that Dick was not familiar with the Trumpet Concerto so it was a special night for him too. Hearing something new is always fun for him.

They had two guest performers, a trumpeter for the Neruda and a pianist for Beethoven. Wow, what a night. We came home and are capping it off with a bit of Bailey's and coffee.

Have a nice Sunday.

Love

Mary

Well, Monday I am going to see The Passion with a friend, Debbi. Dick doesn't want to go so when Debbi said she was looking for someone to go with I jumped at the chance. Everybody is talking about it - some raving and some not so much, so I will be able to discuss it sensibly after seeing it.

It has been really warm and we are getting some rain too. Enough rain that the earthworms are beginning to cover the street again. That is rather icky on the morning walk that Chelsea and I take but it makes for nice fat robins.

Have a good Saturday.

Mary

Dick and Jim did go to Oneida. It was not a happy time, I guess. However, it gave me a chance to spend alone in the house with noone to account to. I cooked and sewed and just kind of laid around.

Not much different than any other day but it was quiet.

Bart went home today. I probably won't hear for a couple of days how things are going and I will not call til the weekend.

We had some very interesting discussions at Bible Study this morning. Somehow we got on to the subjest of gay marriage and the church's position on gays. I cannot believe that God who is all good, made 11% of his people gay and then expects them to live celebate all their lives. Perhaps if they called it something else people wouldn't be offended by it.

Good day

Mary

Here we are at Tuesday already. I can't believe that the week is going so fast. Barbara called last night. Bart will be coming home tomorrow. I hope they know what they are doing. Barbara is pleased and I believe that she knows Bart and what is happening better than anybody. So we must trust that this is OK and I need to ask for prayers again.

Tomorrow, Dick and Jim are going gambling at Oneida. They call it donating to the Indians. They say I can come along but I DON"T WANT TO. I will have a whole day ALONE. That is something to look forward to.


Work like you don't need the money
Love like you've never been hurt
Dance like nobody's watching
Sing like nobody's listening
Live like it's heaven on earth.

Go for it.

Mary

Well, I am still somewhat rested. Met with the ladies discussion group at church. We are discussing a book called Live Long and Love It. We are on the subject of fighting back. We all decided that we have done so but found it difficult to remember or determine if we actually won when we did so.

I remembered a time when I was in my early 20s and out with my then husband and at least 5 other people and we had just come from a bar, I guess. A black man was walking down the street and one of the other men started following him and harassing him verbally. I was shocked, said so and told him to stop. We left rather quickly and I hope I was instrumental in that. I had never experienced race hate before and was so upset to see that poor man trying to maintain his calm and keep walking. If I felt bad he must have been terrified. This was in Yuma Arizona and at that time they still had some restaurants that had White's Only sections. In my lifetime. I am glad we have come as far as we have. We are a funny country and have a lot of faults but are probably the closest in the world to accepting all races as equal.

Talked to Bret yesterday, he was in Laughlin Nevada and visited his Aunt Jacquie. He sent us a box of dried fruit from Cabazon and matching sweatshirts for Dick and I. (I told him that now Dick and I can be cute, dressed alike.) Also a box of Sees Candy. That is SUCH good candy.

He is a good son.

Talked to Bart and he sounds MUCH better. He was on his way to group so we talked only for a minute.

Love

Mary

Dick and I left at 1:00PM on Friday for Cashton WI. We stayed at a lovely Bed and Breakfast called Ages Past. This is in the middle of Amish Country on the far west side of Wisconsin near La Crosse.

This B&B is quite charming. It is a Sears house. I don't know if you knew this but in the late 1800's Sears sold "prefab" houses out of their catalog and they were spectacular. There are two of them in Cashton. One, which was being operated as a B&B called Dickson Manor, was built by a doctor and the other now Ages Past was built by the doctor's cousin or brother or some thing like that according to the rumors. You can see pictures of Ages Past by going on their website www.agespast.net. We stayed in Sarah's Room. The Barbagos also operate a gourmet restaurant on the ground floor of the B&B. We ended up eating all our meals there and were very pleased. I had salmon on Friday, a mushroom appetizer and dessert for Saturday evening, a tuna melt for lunch on Saturday and excellent breakfasts both Saturday and Sunday. Carl and Barbara a great hosts and have a home full of antiques and wonderful things to see. We had a comfortable king sized bed in a very attractive setting. I came home quite rested and hope I can stay that way for at least a day or two.

There was no news from Barb or Bart so until tomorrow, I will assume that the weekend went well and call then.

"Dogs come when they are called; cats take a message and get back to you." Mary Bly

Have a good week.

Mary

I have to start remembering to mark things when I put them into the freezer. I had a container in there that I could not remember at all. So we are having it tonight because I was open and don't want a lot of leftovers for the weekend. It is hot tamale mix so we will have them for supper. Fortunately I have hard rolls and sliced cheese so it will be good.

We will be leaving around noon tomorrow for Cashton to the Ages Past Bed and Breakfast there. I am so looking forward to being away for a bit where no one can reach us really. Jim will know where we are but will only contact us if it is REALLY serious.

Tonight is parish council. I really don't look forward to that at all. It seems such a useless thing at this point, for many reasons. I have one more year to serve and will do my best until the term is up.

I do look forward to stopping to see Mother before the meeting. I need to update her on Bart. He, by the way, is doing a bit better. Barbara believes that he understands that there is caring and a plan at the Hospital now. Keep praying, especially at this time for Barbara, who is in such need of comfort.


Love

Mary

Happy St. Patrick's Day to you. I took the day off from ALL chores. This morning I went to Bible Study at 6:30AM. Then took a short rest so I could go to Plymouth and walk in my friend Rip O'Dwanny's Irishman's Walk from Eastern and Highland Avenues to Stafford Street off of Mill Street.

There I had my shot of Irish Whisky and joined my dear friends Stan and Peg Payne for lunch and some music. Rip and Christine had a Piper to start the festivities followed by a singer who was very good. I had a bowl of Reuben Soup for lunch which was very good. I left about 1:30 so I could get home and rest again because

at 6:00 we went to Richard's in Sheboygan Falls for the Irish Festivities organized by Bob Mac Ewen. He also started the festivities with a piper and followed with a group called the Spring Valley Irish Rovers who were also VERY good. I had been asked to read poetry as I mentioned earlier in the week. It went very well. I read my Knockeen Dolman, Cats and the Kettles poems of my own and several from well known Irish authors as well as some Irish blessings etc. It went over very well. I hope he does it again next year. They even gave me a present, a bottle of Baileys Irish Creme. I feel like a real poet.

Happy St Patrick's Day. And remember that an Irishman is never drunk as long as he can hang on to one blade of grass and still hang on to the face of the earth.


Love

Mary

This morning God gave me a gift. Chelsea and I went for our walk at about 6:00AM and as we were walking, I looked up into the sky and saw a flock of birds (I have seen these birds before) flying like graceful dancers against the morning blue sky. They dipped, they glided they turned and spun. All in formation. They kept it up for several minutes until they landed in a tree for a rest. I felt like I was seeing a dance troup doing their most intricate routine. The Blue Angels must have learned from them but have never reached such perfection.

If anyone knows what species of bird this is . Please let me know. I have see them before out in the country but never so close and up front.

Have a good week.

Love

Mary

Sunday and March is almost 1/2 over already. Two days til St. Patrick's Day and only four days until St. Joseph's Day which is Bart's birthday.

It certainly doesn't seem like it was 33 years ago that I gave birth to that guy. We used to call him Mr. Magoo because a neighbor said he looked like Mr. Magoo when he scrinched up his little face. He was actually a really pretty baby. Nice shaped head and wonderfully clear unblotched skin. Sometimes I wish they were still little again but I guess I am glad I had them then when I was younger and able to keep up. (Kind of)

Anyway, this is a busy week with St. Patrick's Day, a council meeting, a visit with Bart and leaving on a trip on Friday.

May blessings surround you in the coming week.

Love

Mary

Mother and I went to a "Second Saturday" program presented by the Sheboygan County Reasearch Center in Cooperation with the Sheboygan Falls Library. They had Ellen Kort, Wisconsin's Poet Lauriette and author of "Wisconsin Quilts: Stories in Stitches" speaking. She was billed as an expert on quilts and stories. She was very good but Mother and I felt she spent more time telling about her poet successes, which was very interesting to me as and amatur poet AND quilter but for the avid quilter probably a little too much focused on the poetry. I was impressed. She is one of those people who does everything well and often. She will be remembered. I will be pleased to be able to say I heard her at our next Writers Club meeting.

"He prayed as he breathed, forming no words and making no specific requests, only holding in his heart, like broken birds in cupped hands, all those people who were in stress or grief." Ellis Peters

This seems to be so true right now. I try to remember all the prayer requests. I hope you remember mine.

Love

Mary

It was very cold today. However, I did notice that the tulips are poking their heads above the ground and the robin that hangs around my front yard was singing valiantly this afternoon. If he won't give up I won't either.

In more ways than one, I won't give up. Barbara called tonight. She had to take Bart back to the hospital tonight. He regressed during the week and Barbara felt he needed to be back where they can help him. Their first thought is that maybe his medication needs to be adjusted. I hope that helps and that they get him to commit to a program, predetermined, before he comes home again. Barbara says he needs a hobby and I believe she is right.

Please pray. That is all WE can really do.

"May those who love us, love us. And those that don't love us, may God turn their hearts. And if He cannot turn their hearts, may He turn their ankles so we'll know them by their limping." Irish Blessing (or curse depending on how you look at it.)

Countdown to St. Patrick's Day. Four more days.


Mary

I believe we are all caught up on errands. FINALLY. We had the cars serviced this morning and I havealmost finished the taxes. We will send them out a week ahead of time. AND I am all caught up on my correspondence too.

Tomorrow a new pistol league starts and if I can find two other people to shoot with me I would like to shoot trap in this spring league too. I bought a new gun on Saturday. It is a 12 gauge shot gun made in Russia that has a shorter stock than most and seems to fit me for a change. I am kind of excited to try it. If I can't get any partners, I will shoot on Sunday.

We had snow today, but very little of it stayed on the ground. It is windy and supposed to get VERY cold tonight. Then it will start warming up again, with rain in the forcast in the next couple of days. I saw some green in my day lilies and (I hope I am not imagining) I believe that my peony that I thought was dead is coming up.

Spring is such a hopeful time. We seem to be getting enough rain this year. Maybe the water table will build up and the farmers will be happy.

Love

Mary

I just returned from a Living Stations of the Cross, presented at St. Dominic's Church in Sheboygan by the combined Youth Group from St. Dominic and St. Clement Parishes.

Over 50 young people cooperated to help us pray the Stations in song and with representations of the events as put forth in the Gospels. I am impressed with the dedication, talent and devotion of the young people of Sheboygan and have faith that we do have a future.

I thank them for helping me and the other attendees on our Lenten Journey.


Mary

I have two big kitties filling up the bulk of the surface of my desk. They do like to be near and live sitting under the lamp which I am sure is very comforting to them especially during these winter months.

One week from tomorrow, as I mentioned, I will be the featured "Gaelic Poet" for St Patrick's Day in Sheboygan Falls. It is really fun to review the great poets of Irish fame such as Goldsmith, Yeats, Swift and the anonymous poems attributed to various monks, warriors and traveling seanaches who had such respect in years past in Ireland.

It never go over 36 degrees today but felt quite comfortable because the sun shone and the wind was still. It is amazing how comfortable one becomes without cold wind and how good the sun feels after the damp gray cold of winter.


Love

Mary

I fixed the best salad tonight. I found it on the Change One site. A diet site through Reader's Digest that I subscribe to. The trick is lots of greens, some onion and mandarin oranges. Then a dressing of oil, vinegars and orange juice concentrate. Nummy Nummy. We had company and the salad was a wonderful accompaniment to Cornish Pasties. I will definitely use fruit in salads and a sweet dressing too.

Went to Writers Club this afternoon. I read my Son poem and they seemed to like it. My "editor", Janice Kaat who publishes the Pike River Community News that prints my food column was there today. We are a nice group. Perhaps with the inspiration of their persistance and experience, I may do something worth leaving as a footprint to show that I really was alive on this earth.

There is a song that has a line I like that goes "And I might have done some things good enough for you to see." I feel that way a lot. It would be a shame to end 60 to 90 years of life with nothing left to remind people you were here.

Love

Mary

Wow, what a full Sunday. I started off with church at 8:00. Then came home and fixed breakfast, read the paper, cleaned up the leaked water from under the sink. (unplanned for). Then Jim and I went to Rhine and I finally shot worth a darn after three weeks of just being awful. I hope things are back on track. Then Dick and I mixed up a batch of wine. We have two big batches and the grape wine working now. Just enough with spring and summer coming. I looked at the daylillies the other day and they are starting to sprout. Another sign of spring. There is hope of a new day.

There is a very busy week ahead. I have Writer's Club tomorrow. I will read SON. I haven't heard from any of you, but Dick said he liked it so I feel comfortable sharing.

Have a wonderful week.

There is no sense in keeping a dog if you are going to do your own barking.


Mary

Only one and one half weeks until St. Patrick's Day. I must gather up and decide which poems I want to read at Richard's in Sheboygan Falls that night. I have been invited to perform as a Gaelic Poet. Probably because I won a contest a couple of years ago, which makes me very proud actually. I will get paid my dinner for this which is not bad pay for poetry these days. I wrote a couple of poems while Bart was sick and have been keeping up my articles for a friend who publishes a paper up north called the Pike River Community News. If I get enough of either (poems or cooking articles) I may try to publish a book. We will see.

It is good to have ambitions anyway. My Live Long and Love it discussion group is giving me some motivation. I lost a lot while Bart was sick.

Here is my most recent poem. I like honest criticism.

SON

Treasure of my heart
Fragment of my being
I gave you life

Pride of my heart
Mirror of my eternity
I nurtured you

Labor of my heart
Piece of my mosaic
I mentored you

Hole in my heart
Gone to YOUR horizon
I let you fly

Joy of my heart
Dream of my tomorrow
You are my legacy


Soon

Mary

I was talking to a dear friend who is suffering with diabetes related problems and she sounds so weak and sad. She is in the LONG list of people who are on my prayer list but I wish I could do more. Her first question was to ask how Bart is doing. Such a wonder. I told her of a picture that Barbara gave me of Jesus with the universe as the background. There is a statement on it that says. "I never said it would be easy... I only said it would be worth it." We need to hang on to that. And I see light now.

Did I tell you I saw my first red-winged blackbirds of the season. Actually, I heard them first. They along with the cardinals are my first signs of spring. I ALSO saw and heard a ROBIN. There is a spring and it is coming fast.

Love

Wow, have the past two days been a whirlwind. Yesterday, Dick and I were supposed to go visit Bart and on Tuesday I received a call from Barbara telling me that we could bring him HOME. I was surprised, but when one thinks about it, he has been in care for over three weeks now. They have him stabilized and his medication is working and they feel that he no longer needs to be under hospital care. We must trust the doctors, otherwise, why have him there to begin with.

He was a happy young man. We got him out of there by about 2:, stopped at Mc Donald's for a snack, (he missed lunch because of a dentist appointment.) and made it home by 4:00PM. He promptly took a nap. (No wonder after a dentist appointment, two doctor consultations and a drive to our house.) Barbara came to get him at about 6:00PM. She made really fast time from home. We treated them to dinner and sent them on their way home. They both needed to be THERE and TOGETHER. I know that Bart's critters will help him heal also.

Thank everyone for your prayers and thoughts. We are so grateful for the outpouring of love that carried us through this.

"Where there is no certainty, the mind must turn to the light and not the shadow." Ellis Peters - Cadfael.

Happy Day to you

Mary