It was a bit cooler today.    At least I could notice it.   Still to hot.    I don't know.    Moved to Oklahoma to avoid those cold cold winters.    Now I have hot hot summers:)

Went to mass this evening.   A nice mass.   I love it that I have been here long enough that I know people.    I have friends!!

Tomorrow is pretty quiet.  I may go over to Bart and Barb's in the afternoon, but am just working on several projects that I am enjoying but not getting really avid about.    That will change as I am getting better all the time.

Love you all
Stay well
Wear masks

Dia Dhuit
Mary

It was warmer again today but is supposed to be a bit cooler for the next three to four days.     Not  that it makes much difference when the "Low" is 93 or 94 with a heat index:)    As I say - Hot is Hot.

Again, I kept reasonably busy, though with just me and Vita this is not a lot.     She takes me for regular walks, so I am getting my exercise.

I fixed my dishwasher today and am very proud.    The screws that attach it to the cabinet had worked their way loose, so I had to get new screws that were just a smidge wider and just a smidge longer and I screwed them in and it its fine.     When someone who knows more than me comes I will have them check it.

Tomorrow, another quiet day, though I will go to Mass in the evening.   Which always makes me feel fulfilled.

Dia Dhuit
Mary

It was a bit cooler today and wouldn't you know that the first day I decide to give my front lawn a drink, as soon as I turned it off we had a thunderstorm?

The thunder scared my Vita all over again.    Just getting her over whatever it was that was scaring her a couple of days ago.     She sure is a scared e cat.      I love her anyway.     She is also a sweetie.

Went to Writer's Club tonight.    There were four of our five members there.    We all had something to read and get critiques on.    I got favorable comments on my poems and on the Summary of Ireland that will go in my saints book.

Did a bit of sewing on the wall hanging of St. Piran that I am designing too.     So it was not a dull day.

Hope you are all well and wearing masks and keeping social distancing so that you all stay safe and we beat this virus.

Dia Dhuit
Mary

It was cooler and less humid today.     Still not a temperature that I want to be out for a very long walk, but a welcome relief.

Miss Vita is still afraid of "outside" sometimes.    Then to top it off, I let her out in the back yard this afternoon and something "Boomed",    I don't know what it was, not fireworks, but she made a bee line for the house.     Well.    We will take one day at a time.    

I kept myself busy most of the day.     Worked a bit on quilting and writing.   

Also, I had some really great conversations with my  two Maureens:)    Maureen Garry and Maureen Smith today catching up on each other and on what is happening in CWI (Celtic Women International)  which brought us together in the first place.

Also had a lovely conversation with my friend, Pam from Holy Family Church.    We are going to different masses these days so don't see each other as often.     Probably with the pandemic, would not visit as much anyway.

Tomorrow I will shop and work more on my quilting and poetry.

Love you all

Dia Dhuit
Mary

They say it was cooler today and the thermometer did say the same thing but it was not enough to make us feel comfortable.   Thank the Lord for air conditioning.

I got a lot of book work and financial things settled today.   One would think that I should not have much of that anymore but things keep creeping up on me.     Oh well.   I need something to do during the day:)

Worked on some poetry and quilting projects.

Talked to a friend for some time.    She is getting our newsletter ready  for CWI and had asked me for some input.    I am glad to say that I was able to be of help to her.    I have been in her position before and needed input and didn't get it.     Love people who are part of a group who really care.

Another quiet day tomorrow.   Kerry will come to clean but the rest of the day is free.

Dia Dhuit
Mary

Another quiet day at home.    Took Miss Vita for some walks.   I must remember to carry a mask with me as Lawton now has a mask rule which I approve of.

I did several CWI projects today.   Makes me feel good because I love the Celtic Women organization and the support we give each other.

Tomorrow will be another quiet day.     I am trying to put my writing on top ladder so I keep my incentive going.

Love you all
Please stay well and take care of yourselves and yours.

Dia dhuit
Mary

Haiku

Just like a spider
Entrapping all in its web
COVID19 devours.

I must be feeling better because I am being more active around here.    I went to the bank this morning because I have been low on cash and I don't like that.

Then I swept the kitchen and laundry room and even wiped off the washer and dryer.

I watered the plants outside and took Miss Vita for a couple of walks.   Tonight she is acting afraid of the outside again.    She did this on the 4th of July and I attributed it to the fireworks but there must be some smell or noise that scares her this evening because we started down the street and suddenly she started hunching up and headed for home.    Not fun for me because I can't run and she was
REALLY pulling.    Oh, well.   Should be OK tomorrow or even later tonight when she has to go potty bad enough.

Went to Mass this evening.   I think there were less people there.  The Archdiocese is requesting that all people who come wear masks and I think this is stopping some people, though they still will allow those with medical or really strong reasons to stay, if only in the chapel.   We still have the dispensation to watch mass on the TV.   I want my sacrament and wear my mask and distance and trust that God will protect me.

Dia Dhuit
Mary

I was busy today.    I did four loads of wash to begin with.    Then

At 2PM I drove to the Lawton Country Club to meet with my Lawton Celtic Club.   We have not gathered since February.     There were 7 of us there.    I was so pleased.    We all miss each other and it was good to share the last few months.    Then for our "program" I told them some interesting and facts about St. Bridget, one of the patron saints of Ireland.

It was fun.    I feel fulfilled.

Dia dhuit
Mary

P. S.  It was really hot today.


A poem to St. Bridget

I'd like to give a lake of beer to God.
I'd love the Hevenly
Host to be tippling there
For all eternity.

I'd love themen of Heaven to live with me.
To dance and sing.
If they wanted I'd put at their disposal
Vats of suffering.

Whit cups of love I'd give them,
With a heart and a half:
Sweet pitchers of mercy I'd offer
To every man.

I'd make Heaven a cheerful spot,
Because the happy heart is true.
I'd make the men contented for their own sake
I'd like  Jesus to love me too.

I'd like the people of heaven to gather
From all the parishes around,
I'd give a special welcome to the women,
The three Mary's of great renown.

I'd sit with the men, the women of God
There by the lake of beer
We'd be drinking good health forever
And every drop would be a prayer.

Another HOT day.    I will be going to Writer's Club this evening.    There are only five of us total and we, of course, wouldn't go if we felt we were sick.

I am bringing my chapter on St. Bridget of my patron saints of the Celtic nations book.

We don't take very long, so I will be home early.    We meet in a place that we can sit apart for good measure too.

Bless you all.   Let's all pray for an end to this pandemic.

Dia Dhuit
Mary

Another hot day.    Guess I should stop mentioning that.   Perhaps I will ignore the weather until there is a COOL day.    By cool, I mean temperature, of course.

I had to get my lottery ticket this morning.    Guess what, last week was a "big" win for me.   I had the Powerball and the multiplication was TEN.    10 times 4.    WOW am I ever rich.   I won't have to pay for my weekly ticket for over a month.    Whoopee!!!

Bart was over this afternoon and brought me some stoganoff that he and Barb made.    Love it when I get surprises for meals.     I can't believe how blessed I am.

Dia Dhuit
Mary

Cinquain

My dog.
My companion.
I would be so alone
Without her sweetness in the house
With me.

Hottest day yet.   And the humidity is just terrible. 

I WISH I could get Vita to do her business in the back yard.   She seems to have to walk though.   Well, I will wait tonight until things start to cool down anyway.

Was home all day.    Worked a bit on a quilt project.   At least I have it in my head.   It is one of my wall hangings and it has been somewhat of a struggle to get the picture of what I want.

I did some cleaning of closets too.   I am trying to figure out what to do with all this STUFF.  Too good to throw away but no place to put it:)?

Oh well, this pandemic is a good time to tackle it.
Dia Dhuit
Mary

A Haiku from Wisconsin

A chorus rang out
Cardinals in the tree tops
Celebrating life

Another hot one, but we are always tempered by the wind and it was cloudy most of the day which made it feel less hot.

I was home until this evening when I went to Quilt Guild.    It was the first one since April .   Missed the meetings a lot.    It helps me stay motivated.    We were all asked to wear masks and keep social distance.     Our quilt show, which was going to be in February, has been postponed til the next year, 2022.    None of us want to be trying to plan something like that in this climate and NOW is when we would have to be putting things in place.

A nice group there.   I got a fat quarter for a birthday present since we acknowledged April, May June and July birthdays.   I showed the President Challenge pieces that I had ready.    Now I am really motivated to finish my wall hanging of St. Petroc.      I also think I will do a VITA.    Wouldn't that be fun?

Tomorrow I should be able to stay home all day, unless I decide to go to get my lottery tickets.    Might, just to break up the day a bit.

Hope all is well with all of you.   

Dia Dhuit
Mary

Haiku

I try to pretend
That I am floating above
In a cool safe place.

Another in this string of HOT days.     This morning wasn't too bad so I cleaned in the garage and moved some things that got wet in cardboard boxes in the flood into plastic tubs.

Vita still will not do her business in the backyard.     I just came in from a final walk, which left me really sticky, and she did to her stuff so I can stay in now except for taking out the trash barrel.     With the garage cleaning I will probably have trash every time for a while.    Usually I only need to haul it out once a week if that.

Tomorrow I see Dr. Toy and try to be sure about the water in my garage, which appeared after the plumber came and then was TOTALLY gone this morning?

Dia Dhuit
Mary

Haiku
Sunshine lights the day
My love and I,  hand in hand
Walk again in memory.

A VERY hot day.   My thermometer showed 104.  With the heat index, I don't even want to think about it.   My Vita wants to do her big business on our walks but even she is not happy with the heat.   Bart tells me that if I wait long enough she will go.    I suppose so, but I am such a patsy to those I love, even critters.

My garage still has its stream of water.   At this point it is edging towards the street.   I have contacted everyone involved in its resolution but, of course, won't get results until Monday or Tuesday.

I guess I should not tell you my problems but as my boys say.   " I talk to everybody and I tell them everything."    And this IS a quote.

Hope you are all well and avoiding the worst of the heat.

Dia Dhuit
Mary

Haiku    (Not very lyrical but true)

We are blessed
To have air conditioning
In our world today


Tee Hee

Busy couple of days.    I saw my arthritis doctor yesterday and am maintaining well enough that I don't have to see him for 6 months.   Yea.

The water was still seeping into my garage and laundry room, I had American Shield send Shields Plumbing come out again.     We think the problem is solved, will know tomorrow if the floor is dry or at least not flowing with water in the morning.     Then I have to figure out how to get everything dried out so I don't get mildew or mold between the walls.    Ich.    Will it never end.


We are heading into a really hot spell.   Is supposed to hit 107 tomorrow.   Today turned out quite OK because of the light rain we had at about noon.     A welcome rain but of course we wish it had been a bit more.  

Bart came over this afternoon to check things out for me and just to visit too.    I am always so glad to have someone in the house to talk to.     He is much like his step father and to think of it his bio-dad, as he often refers to him, an not TOO much of a talker, but he does like to share things and I am so blessed to have him here.   Of course, I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him.:)

Dia Dhuit
Mary

Cinquan

Each day
Is a blessing
Sunshine, or rain, or clouds
Safe with a home to shelter in
Content.

Today was as cool as it is going to be for the next week, at least.    And it was HOT and MUGGY.   Not looking forward to triple digits, they say 105.     OUCH.

I was quite busy today.     I had to go to the bank and the grocery store and to my wine store.    Then I wrote a newsletter for my Lawton Celtic Group because we are going to meet on July 17th after a four month hiatus.     Sure will be glad to see those that come.    We are going to a hotel and will work on social distancing and wearing masks.  But I am sick of just existing.

Tomorrow I have a doctor appointment with Dr. Simon, my arthritis specialist.    Then in the afternoon, Shields Plumbing will come to see why water is running down my garage.    EEEWWW

Til tomorrow
Dia Dhuit
Mary

What a day.     Kerry came to clean the house this morning and Dan and Han came to mow my lawn this afternoon.
Then at about 4PM American Shield sent an Air conditioning person to check my system as we thought that the air conditioner was leaking into the garage.    He told me that the drain from the house to the main is clogged and that I need a plumber.     The company offered to change the order to American Shield from Air to Plumbing.     So I let them.

I will cope with it tomorrow if I don't hear anything:)    Sufficient unto the day.

Today is the coolest day projected for a week.     Tomorrow is not too bad , then it is going to jump into the mid 100s.   Yikes.     So blessed to have an air conditioned home.

Dia Dhuit
Mary






Haiku

I dreamed of a world
Comfortably so in love
With just being with.

The weather men said that it was cooler today.    I couldn't tell.    I still got all sweaty when I took my Vita for her walks.    I still do my walks because I know it is good for me and for my Vita girl.

Bart came over to look at a problem I have this afternoon and then we visited so I was not home alone all day.

Tomorrow I have my house cleaner, my lawn mower and someone to look at my air conditioner all coming the same day.     Don't know how I got so lucky.

Dia dhuit
Mary

Haiku
From Wisconsin

Overhead I heard
The sound of the Sandhill cranes
Hauntingly lovely

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.