Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Please
I’m so sorry I missed wishing my daughter-in-law Anne a Happy birthday yesterday. Please forgive! Know that I wish you many more anyway!
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
January Almost Gone
Yesterday was the second post op appointment with Dr. Rohr for the right eye. The outcome was 20/20 with small exceptions on distance and tiny print. The tiny business may be taken care of by 2.5+ reading glasses from the drugstore. But if that doesn’t do it I’m allowed a pair of glasses paid by insurance because of the surgery. I said I would try the reading glasses first and if by my next appointment I’m not happy I’ll get the glasses made.
Speaking of eyes.
If I don’t get Brandy to the Doggy Depot soon she will be running into walls. She had a couple of what my Mom used rats in her tail and under one ear. Combing them out was next to impossible so I cut them out. Then she decided that I wasn’t going to comb anything and I decided I’ll pay extra and have her groomed rather than to look like a victim of a cat fight.
Yesterday while I was out I found basil, mint, curly parsley, and chives plants. This time I let Jay re pot them.
And so the herb window garden grows ( we hope)!
I also finished Mitch Albom’s latest book ‘For One More Day’.
Another book that makes you stop and think did I or in some cases do I pay attention to those I love or just take them for granted. Maybe it’s my age but this theme is floating through my mind more often. It doesn’t take a moment to show affection to another being and you and I certainly have that amount of time to spend!
Now the reason for catching up on the reading.
Yep she is still coming down. Jay plowed the driveway again Sunday and it has snowed only lightly but every day since. Right now it is fine flakes that look more like a fog or a mist. The sun will sometimes peek through in the morning and the late afternoon but during the day it hides in the clouds making things gray and cold looking. I heard on the radio yesterday that Spring is only 50 some days away. Wow too bad old man winter doesn’t pack his bags and be gone by then but no such luck for us, Kids!
Remember be happy, keep warm, and I’ll add spend some time spreading some love! That you can afford!!
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Ray Bradbury Books
Just finished the sequel to Ray Bradbury’s Dandelion Wine called Farewell Summer. Even though first book was copyrighted in 1946 and the second in 2006 the continuity was excellent. Dandelion wine was written for ages 12 and up which explains the juvenile charm of the story. I did have a problem getting through this book and it took some put down-pick up pauses to finish it. But the ideas introduced, both serious and humorous, will stay with me for a long while.
Dandelion Wine describes the rites and delights of the people in a small town through the eyes of a teenager. The way the seasons change. What he called Green Town, actually Waukegan, IL. consisted of in 1928. It stresses the importance of friends and family in your life. What living in a place where your grandparents are next door, your buddies down the street, and the contacts with all the other people that make up your life.
In Farewell Summer however the reading flowed like a quiet stream. I picked it up one morning and finished it by the next. With 14 years behind him Doug Spaulding has decided to form and army to fight the elders of the town. He honestly believes that they are forcing him to grow old. The surprising conclusion makes the battle worth it.
Throughout both books a lesson that some of us still haven’t learned is stressed. That is to sit down and listen to the old people in our life, ask them questions and pay attention because that resource soon dies and only regret remains.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Reminders Not Needed!
Just after Christmas I spotted these guys marked down in the grocery store.
Seeing we hadn’t had any snow to speak of I decided to bring them home and set them on the computer desk to remind me what time of year it was. Now the snow is here to stay. The planter barrels sit chuck full of snow at the side of the shed waiting for Spring and new plantings.
A peek out the French doors reveal the reds of the cardinals, the blues of the Jays, different types of finches, wrens, and woodpeckers. But when I go out to get pictures the only birds brave enough to stay are the Chickadees.
Here we have one bird on the suet, one on the backside of the feeder, and one in the bush to the right. Another shot shows one Chickadee on the suet and the other on a post cap.
The blue container holds the gallon jugs of seed and thistle. The suet cakes are stored there also in the winter. It makes filling feeders quicker and easier which is important when you are out there freezing your butt off (don’t I wish!). You can see by the picture I don’t need my reminders anymore.
Stay warm and happy!
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Winter Day Surprise!
The mail lady came today. In her hand she had this package. I love packages especially when my name is on the outside. The return address told me it was from Diane (Mrs. DoF). I sat there wondering what could it be. So I opened it and inside was one of the jars I had sent her jam in. In the jar was this lovely knitted dish cloth and a scrubbie she found on a craft table at a benefit for their Humane Society.
Also in my package was this delightful collection of little clowns. They are between two and two and one half inches tall. Diane had them in her basement store room. Having clowned myself these little gems will go up on the knick knack shelf for all to see.
What a wonderful surprise on a gray winter day. Thank you Diane!
Sunday, January 21, 2007
My Mom
Gertrude Catherine Graves Waggoner
Born January 21, 1916
Died March 24, 1992
As I approach my 72 birthday I try to remember my Mom at this age.
All I recall is an unhappy woman who smoked and drank to excess.
Possibly because my Dad was ill then and would die the following year leaving her alone and away from her children.
It also might of been that she suddenly realized that her actions alienated us from her even though we still loved her.
The reason will never be known.
Happy Birthday Mom
Friday, January 19, 2007
More White Stuff
Old Man Winter has decided to shake the frost out of his beard and declare his season has arrived in Michigan. Brandy is delighted tracking back and forth across the yard and then returning to investigate who made those tracks while the momma stands waiting for her. A walk down to the mailbox is like watching a drunk stagger with two steps forward and 10 or 12 sideways until we reach the road. I have to admit that I would never get out in the snow as much as I do if I didn’t have this dog. I’m sure this is good for me if I don’t catch pneumonia doing it.
Later this afternoon and it is still coming down. Earlier large flakes softly filling the air like feathers. Now they are smaller, blowing types that expel the feeling of magic and make you realize that this old man is serious about his job. I’m really glad that I don’t have to go anywhere today because as I’ve said before as I age I get more cautious. I have to wonder if the ‘Snowbirds’ that make the southern trip every year don’t have the right idea. Then I remember that I couldn’t survive without the snow, it’s beauty and it’s temperatures in winter . As my Mom used to say you never miss what you never had!
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Now Where Was I
January 17th and all eye drops except Acular LS are done. Has the surgery been successful? Well as I look down at my keyboard I see several coffee spots that were not visible in the past. Man I am sloppy!!
Jay’s trip to Dr. Ross’ office was another thumbs up so now we will continue to share this sloppy keyboard daily because this is what he can read the best. I really don’t mind because he finds recipes for supper and then tries them out so I don’t have to cook.
I’m struggling through Ray Bradbury’s Dandelion Wine which was published in 1957 so that I could read Farewell Summer (2006), his latest book. I have been carrying the 1957 book with me to the hospital, to various Doctor appointments and even trying to absorb it at home. But as I read it thoughts of many of Stephen King’s books come floating into my head. Bradbury’s ravine in Green town (actually Waukegan, IL) was a small town much like King’s settings in Maine. Instead of placing myself in the story I keep looking for other similarities. Like Doug and Tom’s friends and and the boys in King’s book who investigated every thing they could find. I wonder if Bradbury inspired a young Stephen King or if all small towns have curious boys and dark places to run through and hide in. Anyway I’m half way through and I will by golly finish it. Until then the other books, approximately five of them will have to sit and wait to be pick up and gazed upon in wonder.
Recently my hands have be itching to pick up yarn and make something. The hook since the fiasco of pulling out two half finished afghans because they looked like hour glasses has become distasteful to me and I thought maybe knitting needles ( though I prefer crocheting) would reignite the fire.
Thus yesterday I spent in the bowels of my basement searching for an old knitting book that contained a pattern of a purple and lavender afghan with a cable stitch pattern. I can see the picture clearly but the book is buried in years of accumulation packed in cardboard boxes and plastic bins. All I could think of was don’t die now with tremendous mess because the kids would hate me forever. Also that I have to finish these projects and either throw the left overs away or give them to craft group. Being unsuccessful in my search I will peruse the other books that I do have for another pattern--gotta stop the itching some how.
The snow is hanging on and the bird feeders are getting hit hard with several birds and an insistent squirrel working on them. We will be going to Sam’s Club for some much needed staples (not the kind that hold papers together). Things like coffee, cat litter, Dish washer and laundry soap, and butter that come in large containers but are less expensive than in regular grocery stores.
It is a no dialysis day and roads are not bad so we are free to rove. Stay warm, happy, and healthy until we visit again.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
TO A KEEPER!
A message from Skyline that I had to share
TO A KEEPER!
One day someone’s mother died.
And on that clear, cold morning,
in the warmth of her bedroom,
the daughter was struck with
The pain of learning that sometimes
there isn’t any more.
No more hugs,
no more lucky moments to celebrate together,
no more phone calls just to chat,
No more “just one minute.”
Sometimes, what we care about the most goes away.
never to return before we can say good-bye,
Say “I Love You.”
So while we have it . . it’s best we love it . .
And care for it and fix it when it’s broken .
and take good care of it when it’s sick.
This is true for marriage .... and friendships ...
And children with bad report cards;
And dogs with bad hips;
And aging parents and grandparents.
We keep them because they are worth it,
Because we cherish them!
Some things we keep --
like a best friend who moved away
or a classmate we grew up with.
There are just some things that
make us happy, No matter what.
Life is important,
and so are the people we know . .
And so, we keep them close!
I received this from someone today
who thought I was a ‘KEEPER’!
Then I sent It to the people
I Think of in the same way!
Now it’s your turn to send this to all those people
who Are “keepers” in your life!
Thank you very much
For being a special part of MY Life!
YOU ARE A KEEPER happy new year !
“Life moves pretty fast.
If you don’t stop and look around once in awhile,
you could miss it.”
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Snow Is Here!
Up at 8:00 am this morning, as usual I had to pee ( I didn’t feel like being fancy), slip on my slacks, socks and shoes to the soft whimper of a puppy with a full bladder also. It is Sunday so we walked down to get the newspaper. The snow was softly falling and had there been a sun my diamonds would have shone brightly on the ground. Every thing was covered with snow, no wind blowing so the flakes fell straight down to settle in their chosen spot on this white landscape.
Back in the house I opened the blinds on the French doors to find at least twenty small birds emptying the feeders on the deck. There were several Chickadees, a few Downy woodpeckers, and some finches wearing their winter colors. A couple of Doves, a Cardinal, and one Red belly woodpecker were doing their part also. I decided while I still had my coat on to fill the feeders back up and of course as I opened the door everything flew off. Getting pictures of my visitors is difficult because of the glass (glare) and the screen in the door. But I must confess I love watching them gather to dine.
Yesterday while shopping for groceries I spied three herb plants in the produce department, rosemary, thyme, and sage in clay pots with saucers to match. Jay has been wanting some fresh herbs for cooking so I pick them up. A little further on I found a platter in green and edged in the same color as the pots. A check confirmed all three pots would fit in the platter so I bought that too for $5.99. In the same display one shelf down was a matching mixing bowl. I knew I had found the new pot for my Christmas cactus.
I was so proud that for around $20. I now have a new display for the bay window and you can eat part of it. I’m going to check back for large cereal bowls in this material because Jay has seeds for flat leaf parsley and sweet basil to grow. I would like the containers to match but it depends on the size of the bowls.
Today we have no place to go so we can stay inside and gaze at the snow. Stay warm and healthy until we visit again.