As a follow up on lung doctors. I did see one and he has put me on levaquin for 5 days. I think that is about right as I had not completely hit the skids. Unfortunately that medicine causes insomnia. As for now, with two pills in me and two days have passed I am feeling like my old self.
As I was driving up to get my sister, I began to remember some things about her and I began to laugh out loud. My sister has a quick wit shich seems to be true of her children also. Warning: for those whose sensibilities cannot tolerate scatalogical humor, stop reading.
I was thinking of the time when she was in the waiting room of a ladies lounge in a large department store. She was sitting in a chair waiting for someone or perhaps having a cigarette. As she sat there a little lady came tiptoing in and said " I just have to make a deposit". My sister replied, "just so you don't make a withdrawal". Well, I thought it was funny.
Once when she and I had been up to Dillard, Ga. (one of our favorite places and birthplace of our fraternal great grandmother Nancy Dillard , we purchased a booklet of really old mountain songs and sayings. As she drove home I read from the book and we both laughed so hard she almost ran off the road.
Once we were in a shop near Helen Ga. Suddenly we heard a laugh which sounded mechanical. Upon investigation it turned out to be a hand mirror just laying on a shelf. Each time someone walked past it the laughing began. It was contagious and a series of guffaws ensued. Of course we had to purchase that! And we knew just who to give it to, our brother-in-law Carlyle Owens. Everyone had a lot of fun with it, especially when some unsuspecting victim entered their home. Years later we noticed that it had disappeared from their home. As jokes have a history of becoming old and no longer funny, we suspected that he had disposed of it. We were right. It seems he had to make a lot of trips to the bathroom at night and it would set off the peals of laughter. Oh, well, we had a good run with it.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
Doctors
I am waiting for two things to happen. First my sister will let me know this evening if she is coming today. She is with her daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter heading south by car. They are in the vicinity of the town where we lived our earlier lives. My sister wants to visit the family cemetery, named ( Odd Fellows ), yes that is correct. I think it was started by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (originating from England in the 18th century. This is where our parents, fraternal grandparents, uncles and aunts are buried. Just next door to all of this is a hospital. Not too reassuring to be looking from your sick room over to this sight. She will probably want to visit another cemetery up the road - about 25 miles, called "Resthaven" where two of our sisters their spouces, and one brother are buried. Perhaps his wife also, I have not been there in such a long time. All of this information is to be found in our family geneology book compiled by my younger brother, some years ago. My sister is very sentimental about family. The first year she was married and living in another state ( an all day trip from home) her husband had to drive her back to see family every three or four weeks. He was a patient man in that regard, but he loved our family not having had a really cohesive family when he was growing up. He called my mother "mammy". He had come to our home with my brother when they were both on leave during World War Two. My sister never came back home to live permanently but still likes to revisit old haunts.
Today I am also waiting for a call back from one of my doctors ( a pulmonologist ) that may not happen until the end of the day. So, I will be here all day and finding a way to occupy my time has never been difficult for me. More likely it is a problem to find time for all I would like to do.
Having problems with my lungs started when I was 6 weeks old. That is pretty early to have whooping cough but it was verified by my next to oldest sister before her death in l992. No doubt I caught it from my sister who is coming today to visit. Our father said of her "she coughed for a year before she had whooping cough, for a year while she had it, and a year after she had it". So why am I the one with sensitive lungs ????????
When I first began teaching school in 1948 in Kentucky, each teacher was required to have a chest x-ray on a yearly basis. They were looking for tuberculosis. On my first x-ray a "spot" was seen. Diagnosis " unkown cause, x-ray again in a few months" This was done and no "spot" was seen. I had been ill with pneumonia the year before, so perhaps this was something left over from that. At any rate no more lung problems until the summer of 1973 when again spots were found. After spending the summer resting my doctor called me one evening and said "I am so sorry, but the medicine I prescribed for you is toxic to your lungs". So, I was off of that medicine and put on a new one which would keep my blood pressure in check and not be toxic to my lungs.
This is a continuing story but perhaps you remember when Legionaires Disease first became known. We had a leak in the ceiling of my room at school and the insulation fell off onto the floor. This was a few days before school was out but that summer was spent with tests for Legionaires, allergies to chicken feathers, and all kinds of strange things. Diagnosis "bum lungs". So, I was on antibiotics for lung infections until a doctor at Emory decided to have a look see down inside my air sacs. He did a "wash" and determined I had atypical T.B. I was quaranteed for two weeks while a culture was run but my doctor reassured me that he was 99.9 percent sure it was not T.B. Eventually it was determined I had MAI. Well I WAS Missing In Action but no special treatment was prescribed for some years. Then it was determined that antibiotics were no longer clearing up my lungs, so my then pulmonologist ran a culture to determine which medicines would best kill off the microscopic bugs which had colonized inside of me. I had been told early on that the cure was worse than the disease, so now I was to learn the real meaning of those words. For three months I was "sick as a dog" while on those medicines. They were making me so sick it was decided to stop all of them.
My concern now in 2009 is that the MAI has recolonized. But, perhaps not, we shall see how this all plays out.
I do hope this has not made you cringe, or start coughing !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Today I am also waiting for a call back from one of my doctors ( a pulmonologist ) that may not happen until the end of the day. So, I will be here all day and finding a way to occupy my time has never been difficult for me. More likely it is a problem to find time for all I would like to do.
Having problems with my lungs started when I was 6 weeks old. That is pretty early to have whooping cough but it was verified by my next to oldest sister before her death in l992. No doubt I caught it from my sister who is coming today to visit. Our father said of her "she coughed for a year before she had whooping cough, for a year while she had it, and a year after she had it". So why am I the one with sensitive lungs ????????
When I first began teaching school in 1948 in Kentucky, each teacher was required to have a chest x-ray on a yearly basis. They were looking for tuberculosis. On my first x-ray a "spot" was seen. Diagnosis " unkown cause, x-ray again in a few months" This was done and no "spot" was seen. I had been ill with pneumonia the year before, so perhaps this was something left over from that. At any rate no more lung problems until the summer of 1973 when again spots were found. After spending the summer resting my doctor called me one evening and said "I am so sorry, but the medicine I prescribed for you is toxic to your lungs". So, I was off of that medicine and put on a new one which would keep my blood pressure in check and not be toxic to my lungs.
This is a continuing story but perhaps you remember when Legionaires Disease first became known. We had a leak in the ceiling of my room at school and the insulation fell off onto the floor. This was a few days before school was out but that summer was spent with tests for Legionaires, allergies to chicken feathers, and all kinds of strange things. Diagnosis "bum lungs". So, I was on antibiotics for lung infections until a doctor at Emory decided to have a look see down inside my air sacs. He did a "wash" and determined I had atypical T.B. I was quaranteed for two weeks while a culture was run but my doctor reassured me that he was 99.9 percent sure it was not T.B. Eventually it was determined I had MAI. Well I WAS Missing In Action but no special treatment was prescribed for some years. Then it was determined that antibiotics were no longer clearing up my lungs, so my then pulmonologist ran a culture to determine which medicines would best kill off the microscopic bugs which had colonized inside of me. I had been told early on that the cure was worse than the disease, so now I was to learn the real meaning of those words. For three months I was "sick as a dog" while on those medicines. They were making me so sick it was decided to stop all of them.
My concern now in 2009 is that the MAI has recolonized. But, perhaps not, we shall see how this all plays out.
I do hope this has not made you cringe, or start coughing !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Mini Reunion
Starting next week I will be having my sister visit with me for a month. My younger brother will be coming during that time also. My siblings have dwindled from eight to four. It would be nice if my older brother could make it also for our mini reunion. We did that some years ago and it was a great visit. I am not sure if he feels up to the trip, time will tell.
In the meantime, my mind is trying to come up with some fun things we can do. Or we can have a lot of fun just visiting. My sister has learned a card game called "hand and foot" which she wants to teach to us. My brother and I want to introduce her to bridge. Years ago the game of "rook" was a family favorite. My parents had friends with whom they would play in the evenings. When enough of the family was present at one time a game of rook would invariably ensue. I did not join in the game as I was usually off at school or involved in other things.
On one Sunday afternoon when my older siblings were visiting from their respective homes, a game of rook began. After they were well into the game someone told my parents that the preacher was coming up the driveway. He was pretty straight laced and not wanting to embarrass him by being engaged in card playing, my parents declared the game over. It had taken my parents some time to give in to the pleas of their children and give their blessings to rook playing on Sunday. But to be caught playing themselves was not something they wanted be a part of.
Both of my parents were devout people, living by very high moral standards. It was their practice to tithe to their church. Using banks was practiced then but they would take the tenth from my father's salary and put it in a little tin tea box. The little box was kept in the back of the family radio in a space not taken up with the tubes which were a part of all radios back then. If someone outside of the family needed assistance they would go into the tithe box and take what was called for to help them out. So, the entire tithe did not go to the church treasury, rather it was dispensed as charity called for. Only recently I learned that in our church alms are now considered separate from tithing. This was a new idea to me and I feel sure it would have been for my parents also. In retrospect, for a couple with eight children, they were no doubt being quite generous while including alms in their tithe. I think they had a good system.
My brother and I were allowed to skate at the local skating rink without charge because my father had helped the owner to get much needed surgery in the past. There were other instances such as this but I cannot recall them. Living by example set the tone for us. Now all of us with children and grandchildren carry on the examples which our parents placed in motion. I can say in truth that we all have had children to be proud of and grandchildren also.
One of my earliest memories is of the Saturday night ritual. On Saturday evening my mother saw to it that we were all bathed and shampooed and ready for Sunday School and worship service the next day. My father would line up all of our shoes on a retaining wall at our back porch to polish and shine them in readiness for the special occasion.
Even though it meant crowding us into a T model ford to get us there on time we were all there sitting in "our" pew. At an early age I recall being in that pew with my head on my mother's lap. The familiar sweet, clean scent of ivory snow flakes, coming from my mothers dress, along with the preacher's voice, lulled me off to sleep.
When any of us are together for any length of time, we usually recall some of these activities. At times someone will remember more of the story than others and that account will be retold. Families have a special bond which is sacred to me. It is a very comfortable and happy feeling to be with family. I certainly look forward to this visit beginning next week.
In the meantime, my mind is trying to come up with some fun things we can do. Or we can have a lot of fun just visiting. My sister has learned a card game called "hand and foot" which she wants to teach to us. My brother and I want to introduce her to bridge. Years ago the game of "rook" was a family favorite. My parents had friends with whom they would play in the evenings. When enough of the family was present at one time a game of rook would invariably ensue. I did not join in the game as I was usually off at school or involved in other things.
On one Sunday afternoon when my older siblings were visiting from their respective homes, a game of rook began. After they were well into the game someone told my parents that the preacher was coming up the driveway. He was pretty straight laced and not wanting to embarrass him by being engaged in card playing, my parents declared the game over. It had taken my parents some time to give in to the pleas of their children and give their blessings to rook playing on Sunday. But to be caught playing themselves was not something they wanted be a part of.
Both of my parents were devout people, living by very high moral standards. It was their practice to tithe to their church. Using banks was practiced then but they would take the tenth from my father's salary and put it in a little tin tea box. The little box was kept in the back of the family radio in a space not taken up with the tubes which were a part of all radios back then. If someone outside of the family needed assistance they would go into the tithe box and take what was called for to help them out. So, the entire tithe did not go to the church treasury, rather it was dispensed as charity called for. Only recently I learned that in our church alms are now considered separate from tithing. This was a new idea to me and I feel sure it would have been for my parents also. In retrospect, for a couple with eight children, they were no doubt being quite generous while including alms in their tithe. I think they had a good system.
My brother and I were allowed to skate at the local skating rink without charge because my father had helped the owner to get much needed surgery in the past. There were other instances such as this but I cannot recall them. Living by example set the tone for us. Now all of us with children and grandchildren carry on the examples which our parents placed in motion. I can say in truth that we all have had children to be proud of and grandchildren also.
One of my earliest memories is of the Saturday night ritual. On Saturday evening my mother saw to it that we were all bathed and shampooed and ready for Sunday School and worship service the next day. My father would line up all of our shoes on a retaining wall at our back porch to polish and shine them in readiness for the special occasion.
Even though it meant crowding us into a T model ford to get us there on time we were all there sitting in "our" pew. At an early age I recall being in that pew with my head on my mother's lap. The familiar sweet, clean scent of ivory snow flakes, coming from my mothers dress, along with the preacher's voice, lulled me off to sleep.
When any of us are together for any length of time, we usually recall some of these activities. At times someone will remember more of the story than others and that account will be retold. Families have a special bond which is sacred to me. It is a very comfortable and happy feeling to be with family. I certainly look forward to this visit beginning next week.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Happy Birthday
This is for my son. Today is his birthday. I hope it is just what you ordered, with maybe a nice surprise stuck in as well.
I always think of the first time I saw you on July 22, 1957. You were planned for 62 years ago before your sister's birth. Your father and I decided after we were married that we would both work at teaching school until he had earned his masters degree. We wanted to be settled and ready for our ideal family, two children. We thought it might take about five years and we were right about that. Beginning our first summer together we went to George Peabody college in Nashville, Tenn. where he had applied for admission in graduate school. We did this for three summers, each summer living in a different apartment. He worked very hard during the week while I just rested, kept house, read and tried to be quiet so he could make best use of his time.
One summer it rained EVERY day in July. That was the first summer. He had bought our first car from a teacher friend. It was a red convertible with a cloth top. It also had a cut in the top over on the right back side!! As I recall we had taped it in some fashion but we watched that water build up on the top and hoped the patch would hold !! The second place we lived was in a large house and our apartment was on the second floor. We had to share the large bathroom with some students from a mortuary school. There were always buckets of water with white uniforms soaking in them sitting in the bathroom and the water was not clear !! I will not describe that further.
Our last living quarters made no big impression on me so it must have been uneventful, except for two events. One, I had appendicitis with surgery just before we left and I lay in the back seat while he drove to Nashville. The second event was his graduation. I have pictures of him in his robe with the blue "hood" hanging from the back of the top. I do not remember the proper name for it but I am sure that there must be one. What I do remember is that I gave him an expensive book as a gift that day. It cost $50. It was the Abbington Bible Commentary. I wrote an inscription on the back of the cover and I still have it today. it says "To Raymond, on his graduation from Peabody. Rose, August 22, l952. I still use it sometimes, but mostly I use google if I need information.
Getting back to our first meeting, which was at St. Mary's hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, we had an appointment for your arrival. Our doctor practiced at St. Mary's as he was a Catholic with a sizable family of his own. The reason for the appointment was that your sister had come so quickly, yet on time, and my doctor did not want you to come too quickly. I was admitted and given "something", a drip in the vein to bring on labor. BUT, it did not work. I believe there was a limit on how much they could give, so there I was, I had been given the incentive and we just had to wait. Fortunately, you, my son, decided that you had waited long enough and so you just made your appearance, all 21 inches and 8# of you!! Your father was relieved and so was I. We had not made a firm committment for a name for you. Since the technology to determine that you would be a boy was not yet available. So, we had different ideas as to your name. I liked Stephen and your dad agree but came back to the hospital the next day and asked if we could use Bruce instead. With no strong defense in favor of Stephen, I agreed. So, Bruce Collier was the final decision and that is what went on your birth certificate. I took a picture of you early on and you were a long drink of water. But the first time I actually saw you it was feet first and they looked purplish. The doctor had placed you head down across my right leg and I first saw just the bottom of your feet !! My first look at your face at that early stage you looked like your uncle Bascom, your father's brother. That began to change in a matter of days, and you took on your own handsome face.
It was a lot of fun to see you develop and grow. You were always a very bright, optimistic, happy, adventurous little boy. You could be grumpy if awakened abruptly, so I would rub your back and gently awaken you in the mornings. It was easier for both of us !! You always had a plan B in mind in case your first plan did not pan out. Your father and I really enjoyed being parents and oh, how he loved his children. When you were still crawling around I would pick you up and stand at the window in the mornings so you could see your dad leave in his car. He would wave to you before he got in his car and you would wave back. Those were happy times and I hope you can always keep that in your mind when you think of him. You only had him for 13 years but I can tell you he was absolutely the best father you could have had. Also I KNOW he would be so proud of you today for the father that YOU have become. The pattern has been set and I feel sure that your son will carry it on. Am I proud of you? YOU BET I AM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY SON
I always think of the first time I saw you on July 22, 1957. You were planned for 62 years ago before your sister's birth. Your father and I decided after we were married that we would both work at teaching school until he had earned his masters degree. We wanted to be settled and ready for our ideal family, two children. We thought it might take about five years and we were right about that. Beginning our first summer together we went to George Peabody college in Nashville, Tenn. where he had applied for admission in graduate school. We did this for three summers, each summer living in a different apartment. He worked very hard during the week while I just rested, kept house, read and tried to be quiet so he could make best use of his time.
One summer it rained EVERY day in July. That was the first summer. He had bought our first car from a teacher friend. It was a red convertible with a cloth top. It also had a cut in the top over on the right back side!! As I recall we had taped it in some fashion but we watched that water build up on the top and hoped the patch would hold !! The second place we lived was in a large house and our apartment was on the second floor. We had to share the large bathroom with some students from a mortuary school. There were always buckets of water with white uniforms soaking in them sitting in the bathroom and the water was not clear !! I will not describe that further.
Our last living quarters made no big impression on me so it must have been uneventful, except for two events. One, I had appendicitis with surgery just before we left and I lay in the back seat while he drove to Nashville. The second event was his graduation. I have pictures of him in his robe with the blue "hood" hanging from the back of the top. I do not remember the proper name for it but I am sure that there must be one. What I do remember is that I gave him an expensive book as a gift that day. It cost $50. It was the Abbington Bible Commentary. I wrote an inscription on the back of the cover and I still have it today. it says "To Raymond, on his graduation from Peabody. Rose, August 22, l952. I still use it sometimes, but mostly I use google if I need information.
Getting back to our first meeting, which was at St. Mary's hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, we had an appointment for your arrival. Our doctor practiced at St. Mary's as he was a Catholic with a sizable family of his own. The reason for the appointment was that your sister had come so quickly, yet on time, and my doctor did not want you to come too quickly. I was admitted and given "something", a drip in the vein to bring on labor. BUT, it did not work. I believe there was a limit on how much they could give, so there I was, I had been given the incentive and we just had to wait. Fortunately, you, my son, decided that you had waited long enough and so you just made your appearance, all 21 inches and 8# of you!! Your father was relieved and so was I. We had not made a firm committment for a name for you. Since the technology to determine that you would be a boy was not yet available. So, we had different ideas as to your name. I liked Stephen and your dad agree but came back to the hospital the next day and asked if we could use Bruce instead. With no strong defense in favor of Stephen, I agreed. So, Bruce Collier was the final decision and that is what went on your birth certificate. I took a picture of you early on and you were a long drink of water. But the first time I actually saw you it was feet first and they looked purplish. The doctor had placed you head down across my right leg and I first saw just the bottom of your feet !! My first look at your face at that early stage you looked like your uncle Bascom, your father's brother. That began to change in a matter of days, and you took on your own handsome face.
It was a lot of fun to see you develop and grow. You were always a very bright, optimistic, happy, adventurous little boy. You could be grumpy if awakened abruptly, so I would rub your back and gently awaken you in the mornings. It was easier for both of us !! You always had a plan B in mind in case your first plan did not pan out. Your father and I really enjoyed being parents and oh, how he loved his children. When you were still crawling around I would pick you up and stand at the window in the mornings so you could see your dad leave in his car. He would wave to you before he got in his car and you would wave back. Those were happy times and I hope you can always keep that in your mind when you think of him. You only had him for 13 years but I can tell you he was absolutely the best father you could have had. Also I KNOW he would be so proud of you today for the father that YOU have become. The pattern has been set and I feel sure that your son will carry it on. Am I proud of you? YOU BET I AM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY SON
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
give up day
Some days you just have to give up and go on. Today I did that in a couple of ways. I gave up on ever reviving my old juicer. I just could not bear to part ways so I put the dirty deed on my son-in-law. I gave it to him and he promised a decent burial, or send-off, which ever it may be. I gave up on an old television also. Unless it has a box for receiving signals it is just gathering dust. The Tommy Novis center is accepting these old sets for conversion by their workers. Jim graciously received this also just as he was leaving today.
I felt a sense of acceptance re: the juicer as my son-in-law helped me find a replacement which is somewhat like the old one. It will be in my possession in about five days. As for the television, I feel no remorse, as watching television is not high on my priority list. When television first came out I was living in Nashville, Tenn for the summer with my young husband. Our landlady had a television and we watched the Kefauver hearings in Washington, D.C. She was kind to us and gave me hushpuppies which were new to me. I do not know if this is true but she said they originated with slaves out cooking over an outdoor fire. Apparently the dogs smelled the food cooking and hung around begging for a taste. The cook would fry a little ball of cornmeal with onions, in grease, then throw it to the dogs and say, "hush puppy". Hmmmmmmm, sounds logical to me.
The other thing I gave up on was an experimental compost in a metal garbage can. I knew it was too wet and I knew why. Again my son-in-law intervened and after doing some research of his own built for me a neat little compost bin from wire and posts. He built it out back behind some bushes, where I could have easy access to use it. I started that this evening with branches on the bottom, then soil then some fertilizer and then some green items left from my garden today. I gave it some water and a "God bless you with some miracle soil" and left it to do its thing.
I almost gave up on something else last evening, but a pep talk from my son-in-law and some reflection on the day caused me to decide that I really cannot be perfect even though I aspire to be. So, I WILL go back to bridge on Friday and I will accept that I cannot play perfectly every time. I really think that if I ever find a partner I will be able to relax and enjoy the game more. Several people at the Monday games said they knew someone who might be interested. So, I hope there is someone out there who is imperfect like me and is willing to join forces with me in the international game of bridge !!
I felt a sense of acceptance re: the juicer as my son-in-law helped me find a replacement which is somewhat like the old one. It will be in my possession in about five days. As for the television, I feel no remorse, as watching television is not high on my priority list. When television first came out I was living in Nashville, Tenn for the summer with my young husband. Our landlady had a television and we watched the Kefauver hearings in Washington, D.C. She was kind to us and gave me hushpuppies which were new to me. I do not know if this is true but she said they originated with slaves out cooking over an outdoor fire. Apparently the dogs smelled the food cooking and hung around begging for a taste. The cook would fry a little ball of cornmeal with onions, in grease, then throw it to the dogs and say, "hush puppy". Hmmmmmmm, sounds logical to me.
The other thing I gave up on was an experimental compost in a metal garbage can. I knew it was too wet and I knew why. Again my son-in-law intervened and after doing some research of his own built for me a neat little compost bin from wire and posts. He built it out back behind some bushes, where I could have easy access to use it. I started that this evening with branches on the bottom, then soil then some fertilizer and then some green items left from my garden today. I gave it some water and a "God bless you with some miracle soil" and left it to do its thing.
I almost gave up on something else last evening, but a pep talk from my son-in-law and some reflection on the day caused me to decide that I really cannot be perfect even though I aspire to be. So, I WILL go back to bridge on Friday and I will accept that I cannot play perfectly every time. I really think that if I ever find a partner I will be able to relax and enjoy the game more. Several people at the Monday games said they knew someone who might be interested. So, I hope there is someone out there who is imperfect like me and is willing to join forces with me in the international game of bridge !!
Saturday, July 18, 2009
My M-J Juicer
I owe an apology to my dear aforementioned friend. I actually acquired her in l964 or so not in the 1980's. She really did well to perform for such a long time and I wanted to give credit where credit is due.
When push came to shove, I had to finish getting the juice from the rest of the berries. I remembered having a heavy aluminum cone shaped sieve which is used to make sauce from apples. This piece of kitchen equipment is quite old also. It has a handle and sits on a tripod thich can we positioned over a bowl. I put the berries in small portions in the cone. Finding the fat, wooden, ten inch pin designed to be used to mash fruit, I began working with the pin in a circular motion. Enough juice eased through the tiny sieve like sides to make the almost 5 cups needed to complete the job. Then the juice went into the fridge as the day was late and I needed a new day to "git er' done". This is that day.
Earlier when my neighbor and I finished our picking expedition, I brought her back to my house and gave her a jar of the rich jelly I had made early. I wanted her to have an immediate reward for braving the briars and helping me to accomplish my mission.
She was indeed pleased and when I drove her home she wanted me to come in and see the old family furniture pieces she had trusted to a furniture restorer. They were indeed beautiful. I had told her earlier that if she and her husband were happy with the job to let me know. I had a 60 year old bedroom furniture set that I would like to have refinished. I had gone that route before with the first dining set that my husband and I had purchased. It was first class and we bought if after having it inspected by a close friend who taught manual arts in the high school where my husband was teaching. That set was solid maple and had two leaves to enlarge it for special occasions. At each end it had a drop leaf which gave the table an oval shape. The purchase price for it in 1951 was $600.
At the time of purchase, I was 6 months into the pregnancy of my first born. My sister who lived in Ky. and had not seen me, wanted to have a picture of me in that condition. So, I had a picture made of me standing beside the buffet of that set. I recall her saying that she could zip up her skirt any day of the week and look more pregnant than that. Well, all of that is family history.
Getting back to the bedroom furniture which I have wanted to refinish for some time, I am using it in a northwest room on the second floor of my home. My oldest sister who was an artist, had purchased this maple furniture in 1939. She and her husband bought it from Montgomery Ward Company. They had a store in a neighboring town and this furniture was used in her home since the day of her marriage. Apparently the furniture had darkened over the years and she wanted to have more color in the room. Being an artist and using color all the time in paintings, she simply painted over the maple. The bed is a four poster and the posts at the end of the bed have worn over the years from being rubbed as hands held onto it in passing.
Owning and using furniture handed down in families is a sacred and time honored act of love. So, it is with all of that in mind that I intend to pursue the challenge of refinishing her furniture which I now use each night. I expect it to be expensive as over ten years ago I got an estimate of $1,000 for the job. I would not hand it over to any person without recommendation and having seen their work.
With everything else that is going on this summer, I may postpone it for a bit, well, at least until this fall !!
When push came to shove, I had to finish getting the juice from the rest of the berries. I remembered having a heavy aluminum cone shaped sieve which is used to make sauce from apples. This piece of kitchen equipment is quite old also. It has a handle and sits on a tripod thich can we positioned over a bowl. I put the berries in small portions in the cone. Finding the fat, wooden, ten inch pin designed to be used to mash fruit, I began working with the pin in a circular motion. Enough juice eased through the tiny sieve like sides to make the almost 5 cups needed to complete the job. Then the juice went into the fridge as the day was late and I needed a new day to "git er' done". This is that day.
Earlier when my neighbor and I finished our picking expedition, I brought her back to my house and gave her a jar of the rich jelly I had made early. I wanted her to have an immediate reward for braving the briars and helping me to accomplish my mission.
She was indeed pleased and when I drove her home she wanted me to come in and see the old family furniture pieces she had trusted to a furniture restorer. They were indeed beautiful. I had told her earlier that if she and her husband were happy with the job to let me know. I had a 60 year old bedroom furniture set that I would like to have refinished. I had gone that route before with the first dining set that my husband and I had purchased. It was first class and we bought if after having it inspected by a close friend who taught manual arts in the high school where my husband was teaching. That set was solid maple and had two leaves to enlarge it for special occasions. At each end it had a drop leaf which gave the table an oval shape. The purchase price for it in 1951 was $600.
At the time of purchase, I was 6 months into the pregnancy of my first born. My sister who lived in Ky. and had not seen me, wanted to have a picture of me in that condition. So, I had a picture made of me standing beside the buffet of that set. I recall her saying that she could zip up her skirt any day of the week and look more pregnant than that. Well, all of that is family history.
Getting back to the bedroom furniture which I have wanted to refinish for some time, I am using it in a northwest room on the second floor of my home. My oldest sister who was an artist, had purchased this maple furniture in 1939. She and her husband bought it from Montgomery Ward Company. They had a store in a neighboring town and this furniture was used in her home since the day of her marriage. Apparently the furniture had darkened over the years and she wanted to have more color in the room. Being an artist and using color all the time in paintings, she simply painted over the maple. The bed is a four poster and the posts at the end of the bed have worn over the years from being rubbed as hands held onto it in passing.
Owning and using furniture handed down in families is a sacred and time honored act of love. So, it is with all of that in mind that I intend to pursue the challenge of refinishing her furniture which I now use each night. I expect it to be expensive as over ten years ago I got an estimate of $1,000 for the job. I would not hand it over to any person without recommendation and having seen their work.
With everything else that is going on this summer, I may postpone it for a bit, well, at least until this fall !!
Friday, July 17, 2009
Death
Today I lost a dear friend. It happened in the evening around 6:30. I had such a nice day earlier, played bridge, came home and went blackberry picking with my neighbor and she gave me half of her pick. I was working in my kitchen when it happened. It was not entirely a surprise, as I had noticed some signs of slowing down. We first met in the 1980's when I was teaching first grade in Maryland. This friend even went with me to a family reunion at Myrtle Beach that year. On our last night there I alerted the family to come to my unit after their last meal and bring all of their left over fruits and veggies as I wanted them to see what this friend could do with their left overs. We all had a gay old time. We put fruit and veggies in this friend and did she perform !! We had some unusual concoctions. Over the years I neglected our friendship, even sent her out to live with other family members at times but she always came back to me.
Well, you may be thinking this friend is in a better place, but I disagree. I needed her here to help me make jelly, carrot juice, etc. What will I do without her? I found out this evening when she just gave up. She refused to work any more. So I unplugged her from the wall, dismantled her and now I must make other plans for the future. I feel sure that I got my full measure of devotion from her. And she had a long life for an M-J Juicer. Just a few months ago I lost an important part to her and thought it was all over then, but I just could not cast out such a loyal, devoted piece of perfection. Then one day I found the missing key and rejoiced that I had not discarded her. I really thought we would be working together for a long, long time. Ah, well, all good things must come to an end. But I will still have the memories, like the first time I tasted fresh apple juice from her spout. It was heavenly. And the carrot juiced with an orange was unsurpassed. She gave me my last cups of berry juice today before she bade me farewell. I will make some lovely blackberry jelly from that juice tomorrow. I do not have any pictures of her but I think she is on some film taken that memorable evening at the beach. I know we laughed ourselves silly that evening and I recall saying to my family "I hope we do not all get sick from drinking this and not be able to go home tomorrow".
I have heard that good friends cannot be replaced. I may try anyway.
Well, you may be thinking this friend is in a better place, but I disagree. I needed her here to help me make jelly, carrot juice, etc. What will I do without her? I found out this evening when she just gave up. She refused to work any more. So I unplugged her from the wall, dismantled her and now I must make other plans for the future. I feel sure that I got my full measure of devotion from her. And she had a long life for an M-J Juicer. Just a few months ago I lost an important part to her and thought it was all over then, but I just could not cast out such a loyal, devoted piece of perfection. Then one day I found the missing key and rejoiced that I had not discarded her. I really thought we would be working together for a long, long time. Ah, well, all good things must come to an end. But I will still have the memories, like the first time I tasted fresh apple juice from her spout. It was heavenly. And the carrot juiced with an orange was unsurpassed. She gave me my last cups of berry juice today before she bade me farewell. I will make some lovely blackberry jelly from that juice tomorrow. I do not have any pictures of her but I think she is on some film taken that memorable evening at the beach. I know we laughed ourselves silly that evening and I recall saying to my family "I hope we do not all get sick from drinking this and not be able to go home tomorrow".
I have heard that good friends cannot be replaced. I may try anyway.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Dentists
Today I had a dental appointment with a very good dentist here in Gainesville. He was recommened to me by my old one in Tucker. It has proven to be a wise choice as he is an implant and reconstruction specialist. I stipulated that I did not want to sit in the chair with my mouth wide open for longer than an hour, so good to his word he had me out of there in that time frame.
Later I was talking to the lady who cuts my hair. She said she needs to have a wisdom tooth pulled. She is 60 years old so I questioned her as to why she is just now doing that when the recommended age is 15. She explained but I do not envy her one bit ! I recall my son having this done when he was 15 and he was "knocked out" for the procedure and it took some days of recovery before he felt like a member of the human race again. I was 23 when a dentist recommended this procedure for me. I do not recall that it was all that bad and perhaps it will not be for my friend but I feel an earlier age is more prudent. For one thing your mommy can look after you !
Once when I went in to see my primary doctor in Decatur he noted that my blood pressure was up. I said, "Well, I have just come from the dentist and that would give anyone the "heeby jeebies". He had a good laugh over that, but I was serious. In the little town where I grew up there were only three dentists. I was friends with the daughters of two of the dentists and the third, a husband of my sister's friend was the one that my parents sent me to. I say sent, as I just marched up about two flights of stairs all by myself and had teeth filled, and teeth pulled and with no novocain !! I was in my early teens. I must have wanted pretty teeth with a passion, to do that.
My brother marveled that his daughter was hypnotized when she had dental care. I had the option of taking gas but it did not appeal to me at all. I would prefer a fat, numb lip and that is what I got!!
At a young age I had treatment that fell into the category of orthodontics, though it was not called that, nor was it done with wires and rubber bands over a period of time. It involved pulling four teeth, one upper and one lower on both sides of my mouth. I do not believe my parents were even consulted. Our dentist just said you need to have these teeth pulled to make room for the others. I had a small jaw and my teeth just did not fit in there very well, or would not as I grew. perhaps it was the best option under the circumstances as no one questioned it, least of all me.
I should "quitmybitchin" as a lot of people my age have already said goodbye to the teeth they were born with. My mother had all of hers pulled at age 20. That may be why she saw to it that we had plenty of milk growing up for she must not have. As a child of German immigrants who lost her father when she was in the 8th grade, dental care was not on her mother's priority list.
So much has changed over the years that speculation is pointless. I am glad that my grandchildren have the many options open to them in the 21st century. Alas, there is much more turmoil in the world being brought to their doorsteps. Things I could never have imagined. It all makes me think of an old lady years ago when television just came along. She told someone she had no intention of getting on an airplane. She was going to sit at home and watch television like God intended. Amen sister !!
Later I was talking to the lady who cuts my hair. She said she needs to have a wisdom tooth pulled. She is 60 years old so I questioned her as to why she is just now doing that when the recommended age is 15. She explained but I do not envy her one bit ! I recall my son having this done when he was 15 and he was "knocked out" for the procedure and it took some days of recovery before he felt like a member of the human race again. I was 23 when a dentist recommended this procedure for me. I do not recall that it was all that bad and perhaps it will not be for my friend but I feel an earlier age is more prudent. For one thing your mommy can look after you !
Once when I went in to see my primary doctor in Decatur he noted that my blood pressure was up. I said, "Well, I have just come from the dentist and that would give anyone the "heeby jeebies". He had a good laugh over that, but I was serious. In the little town where I grew up there were only three dentists. I was friends with the daughters of two of the dentists and the third, a husband of my sister's friend was the one that my parents sent me to. I say sent, as I just marched up about two flights of stairs all by myself and had teeth filled, and teeth pulled and with no novocain !! I was in my early teens. I must have wanted pretty teeth with a passion, to do that.
My brother marveled that his daughter was hypnotized when she had dental care. I had the option of taking gas but it did not appeal to me at all. I would prefer a fat, numb lip and that is what I got!!
At a young age I had treatment that fell into the category of orthodontics, though it was not called that, nor was it done with wires and rubber bands over a period of time. It involved pulling four teeth, one upper and one lower on both sides of my mouth. I do not believe my parents were even consulted. Our dentist just said you need to have these teeth pulled to make room for the others. I had a small jaw and my teeth just did not fit in there very well, or would not as I grew. perhaps it was the best option under the circumstances as no one questioned it, least of all me.
I should "quitmybitchin" as a lot of people my age have already said goodbye to the teeth they were born with. My mother had all of hers pulled at age 20. That may be why she saw to it that we had plenty of milk growing up for she must not have. As a child of German immigrants who lost her father when she was in the 8th grade, dental care was not on her mother's priority list.
So much has changed over the years that speculation is pointless. I am glad that my grandchildren have the many options open to them in the 21st century. Alas, there is much more turmoil in the world being brought to their doorsteps. Things I could never have imagined. It all makes me think of an old lady years ago when television just came along. She told someone she had no intention of getting on an airplane. She was going to sit at home and watch television like God intended. Amen sister !!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Pickles
Very early this morning, a bit after six, I was wide awake and there was no more sleep in me. I threw back the cover, sat up and knew exactly what I needed to do. So, I said, "feet, take me to the kitchen". Not wasting any time, I put the jars I would use for pickles into the big water pot, and had breakfast while the jars were being sterilized. I had delayed making these kosher dill pickles for a couple of weeks, fearing they would not be good to eat. I started by packing the still warm jars with a sprig of fresh dill and garlic, with the cucumber spears standing all around. Pouring the hot mix supplied by "Mrs. Wages", I finished it off by putting on the lids, giving each jar a tight turn and immediately placing it in the hot water. That was pretty easy after all. A five minutes boiling water bath and they were ready to take out.
I felt so good about how easy they were to make that I determined to make another batch as I still had plenty of cucumbers. So, I did just that. Now I have 14 pints of kosher dill pickle spears. If Jim does not like them, or I do not like them, I will give them to "Mikey" !!
Last night I cooked a huge pot of green beans using the ones I got from the fireman at church. They were sooooo good. I put those I did not eat in one person portions and placed them in the fridge to cool before putting them in the freezer. My other accomplishments for the day included planting 3 burpless cucumber plants into the middle raised bed. I had planted these from seed way back in February and they just came up about three weeks ago. One would think I had enough cucumbers but these are the Parks Burpless and are long like the English cucumbers. While in the garden I rigged up the hose with a Y joint in order to water two places at once, being careful not to get it on the tomatoes or beans. I did pick a "mess" of green beans, more cucumbers and tomatoes. One of my Parks Whopper tomato plants had fallen over again so I took measures to be sure it did not happen again, watered the ground well and was tempted to pick the one big shiny blackberry on the Arapaho plant But I resisted. Now, I hope a deer does not see it and take it for himself.
My dentist called and asked me to change my appointment from Thursday to tomorrow, so I did and now I will be free to play bridge at the Senior Center at Shady Grove. I had not expected to be able to do that. Nice surprise !! Tomorrow will be a more restful day (except for the dentist appointment) and I can smell the roses or something like that !!
I felt so good about how easy they were to make that I determined to make another batch as I still had plenty of cucumbers. So, I did just that. Now I have 14 pints of kosher dill pickle spears. If Jim does not like them, or I do not like them, I will give them to "Mikey" !!
Last night I cooked a huge pot of green beans using the ones I got from the fireman at church. They were sooooo good. I put those I did not eat in one person portions and placed them in the fridge to cool before putting them in the freezer. My other accomplishments for the day included planting 3 burpless cucumber plants into the middle raised bed. I had planted these from seed way back in February and they just came up about three weeks ago. One would think I had enough cucumbers but these are the Parks Burpless and are long like the English cucumbers. While in the garden I rigged up the hose with a Y joint in order to water two places at once, being careful not to get it on the tomatoes or beans. I did pick a "mess" of green beans, more cucumbers and tomatoes. One of my Parks Whopper tomato plants had fallen over again so I took measures to be sure it did not happen again, watered the ground well and was tempted to pick the one big shiny blackberry on the Arapaho plant But I resisted. Now, I hope a deer does not see it and take it for himself.
My dentist called and asked me to change my appointment from Thursday to tomorrow, so I did and now I will be free to play bridge at the Senior Center at Shady Grove. I had not expected to be able to do that. Nice surprise !! Tomorrow will be a more restful day (except for the dentist appointment) and I can smell the roses or something like that !!
Monday, July 13, 2009
bridge
I had no idea of how my day would turn out, so it was an adventure. I did know that I needed to get an oil and filter for my car, so that came first. All bays were open and I had no sooner gotten settled in the waiting room and started filling out some papers when I was told my car was ready. I said, "that was so quick are you sure they did everything they were supposed to do"?. Oh yes, she said, when you do forty a day you get it done fast. Well okay then !! Next I went to Walmart to return a big bag of red potatoes which had gone bad in a matter of days. I may not have noticed them if not for the terrible odor. After that chore, I wandered into the garden center and ended up buying two large pots, potting soil and 2 pink fountain guara. It did not take long to pot them after I got home. Still undecided about the balance of the day, I dallied around for a while and then thought, oh well I may as well go up to Dawsonville to the novice games up there. I knew the way this time and I gave myself an hour and ten minutes to get there on time. I was 30 minutes early and one person was there early also. It was her first visit.
So, we got acquainted and I thought I had a permanent partner but she is a part time resident here. Her other home is in Pencacola. But we joined forces today as we were the only ones who came alone. I pulled my usual boners, but at the end of the day, we were in third place. Of course there were only three tables, which means twelve people played. Well at least we were not dragging bottom, but just barely. She may come on Friday and if so I hope to do better. We really did not have good cards so our points were made by defensive playing. It is easy to say pass, but then one must try to defeat the contract.
When I got home the day was almost gone, and too late to make pickles. I will tackle that in the morning. I did make some blackberry syrup and froze it into cubes. A little tip from my daughter who used to do that to the delight of her then very young son. I wonder if he still likes waffles with blackberry syrup. If so I will see that he gets these when he comes to visit in Atlanta in August.
As for the bridge, this is the second time I have "placed", so I am encouraged enough to keep trying !! Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
So, we got acquainted and I thought I had a permanent partner but she is a part time resident here. Her other home is in Pencacola. But we joined forces today as we were the only ones who came alone. I pulled my usual boners, but at the end of the day, we were in third place. Of course there were only three tables, which means twelve people played. Well at least we were not dragging bottom, but just barely. She may come on Friday and if so I hope to do better. We really did not have good cards so our points were made by defensive playing. It is easy to say pass, but then one must try to defeat the contract.
When I got home the day was almost gone, and too late to make pickles. I will tackle that in the morning. I did make some blackberry syrup and froze it into cubes. A little tip from my daughter who used to do that to the delight of her then very young son. I wonder if he still likes waffles with blackberry syrup. If so I will see that he gets these when he comes to visit in Atlanta in August.
As for the bridge, this is the second time I have "placed", so I am encouraged enough to keep trying !! Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Wild Goose Chase
This morning I was awakened by my "green alarm clock" and at 7:00 I was putting a coffee cake in the oven. I knew this would be good as my son baked it for me on my birthday. I anticipated a large group in the fellowship hall for coffee time after Sunday School and I was correct. I offered the left overs to several people and some took me up on it. One of those being the daughter of our 102 year old member, Martha Riggins. Martha likes my butterscotch brownies and maybe she liked the goodies I had today.
I was privileged to sit with my teaching buddy of yore,and her husband along with a new visitor who teaches french at the junior college in town. The sermon was about prayer and our pastor always has great illustrations from real life.
Earlier this week I had called Jaemor Farms which is about ten miles north of Gainesville. Being told they had blackberries to sell, I felt a drive up there after church would be a reasonable thing to do. When I reached the gate to the popular place ar 12:40, there were six cars in line waiting to get in. A sign on the gate gave the opening hours on Sunday as 1:00. I remembered that just up the road about five or six miles was another popular spot called Micky Pigg's BBQ. I made a turn in the wide driveway and headed on north. It did not take long to reach Micky Pigg's. Of course there were many cars and few parking spots. I did find a place in front of another establishment a short walk away. Once inside of the BBQ place I found it crammed with people so I went directly to the hostess and asked for take out. In about four minutes I was walking past all of those hungry people, out the door with a very ample BBQ sandwich and a tall styrofoam glass of iced water, with lemon no less.
Eating in my car was a small price to pay for such a tasty lunch when I was really hungry. By the time I got back to Jaemor Farms at 1:20 the parking lot was full to the brim but I was able to squeeze in behind a van without blocking it in.
Making my way through the crowded open market I found an enployee and asked where I could find blackberries. We are sold out he told me. Well, to my credit I read it as a sign to go right on home and get started on rooting the cuttings that were waiting in a bucket of water. In the meantime I may experiment and see what kind of jelly could be made by combining the juices of purple grapes and blackberries. I have an optistimic heart and I know that George Washington Carver must have tried a few unusual things before he came up with peanut butter !!
I was privileged to sit with my teaching buddy of yore,and her husband along with a new visitor who teaches french at the junior college in town. The sermon was about prayer and our pastor always has great illustrations from real life.
Earlier this week I had called Jaemor Farms which is about ten miles north of Gainesville. Being told they had blackberries to sell, I felt a drive up there after church would be a reasonable thing to do. When I reached the gate to the popular place ar 12:40, there were six cars in line waiting to get in. A sign on the gate gave the opening hours on Sunday as 1:00. I remembered that just up the road about five or six miles was another popular spot called Micky Pigg's BBQ. I made a turn in the wide driveway and headed on north. It did not take long to reach Micky Pigg's. Of course there were many cars and few parking spots. I did find a place in front of another establishment a short walk away. Once inside of the BBQ place I found it crammed with people so I went directly to the hostess and asked for take out. In about four minutes I was walking past all of those hungry people, out the door with a very ample BBQ sandwich and a tall styrofoam glass of iced water, with lemon no less.
Eating in my car was a small price to pay for such a tasty lunch when I was really hungry. By the time I got back to Jaemor Farms at 1:20 the parking lot was full to the brim but I was able to squeeze in behind a van without blocking it in.
Making my way through the crowded open market I found an enployee and asked where I could find blackberries. We are sold out he told me. Well, to my credit I read it as a sign to go right on home and get started on rooting the cuttings that were waiting in a bucket of water. In the meantime I may experiment and see what kind of jelly could be made by combining the juices of purple grapes and blackberries. I have an optistimic heart and I know that George Washington Carver must have tried a few unusual things before he came up with peanut butter !!
Saturday, July 11, 2009
blackberry friends
Unable to get either of my neighbors to go back to the risky business of picking blackberries with me I headed out last evening around 8:00 prepared to "git er don". In the back seat of my car I placed a large yellow plastic tub with handles. Inside the tub was a 5 gallon bucket with about three inches of water in it. If that sounds like something strange to take berry picking, let me explain. I also took pruning shears and a basket. The pruners were for the cuts I did make on about 10 vines, the water to place them in and the yellow tub to hold all of this so it would not slosh all over my car seat !!
When that part of the mission was accomplihed, I determined to do some picking since I was already there and dressed for the occasion. As I worked along I heard a voice say "what are you doing?". I looked up and saw two little boys on bicycles. Calling back to them I said "I'm picking blackberries, do you want to help me?". They talked it over and decided they would do just that. With their nimble young legs they were able to go up a small incline and pick from the other side. After a good bit of this, I looked at my watch. It was 9:05 and darkness was rolling in. I told them I thought we should stop as their parents may be concerned about them. They assured me they were used to this and all was well. I insisted that it really was getting too dark and I knew their mothers would be looking for them. So down they came and proudly handed me a bag saying "this must be about a pound". As we went out separate ways I told him where I lived and if they would come over to my house I would give them some blackberry jelly tomorrow, but they must talk it over with their mothers. Giving them my name and saying " bring your mothers or have them call me and come with you if they want to do that", we parted ways.
Having gone to a fish fry at my church a few hours earlier it was just about a full day for me. But wait !! I had a big bag of green beans that one of our members was giving away at the fry. That was waiting for me on the kitchen counter. They happened to be white half runners. A wonderful green bean dinner was in my future but not this night. I still had to mix up cookie dough for date/nut pinwheel cookies to bake on Saturday. That I managed to do and still get to bed by 10:30, a late hour for most farmers and especially this one.
When that part of the mission was accomplihed, I determined to do some picking since I was already there and dressed for the occasion. As I worked along I heard a voice say "what are you doing?". I looked up and saw two little boys on bicycles. Calling back to them I said "I'm picking blackberries, do you want to help me?". They talked it over and decided they would do just that. With their nimble young legs they were able to go up a small incline and pick from the other side. After a good bit of this, I looked at my watch. It was 9:05 and darkness was rolling in. I told them I thought we should stop as their parents may be concerned about them. They assured me they were used to this and all was well. I insisted that it really was getting too dark and I knew their mothers would be looking for them. So down they came and proudly handed me a bag saying "this must be about a pound". As we went out separate ways I told him where I lived and if they would come over to my house I would give them some blackberry jelly tomorrow, but they must talk it over with their mothers. Giving them my name and saying " bring your mothers or have them call me and come with you if they want to do that", we parted ways.
Having gone to a fish fry at my church a few hours earlier it was just about a full day for me. But wait !! I had a big bag of green beans that one of our members was giving away at the fry. That was waiting for me on the kitchen counter. They happened to be white half runners. A wonderful green bean dinner was in my future but not this night. I still had to mix up cookie dough for date/nut pinwheel cookies to bake on Saturday. That I managed to do and still get to bed by 10:30, a late hour for most farmers and especially this one.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
red caned blackberry plant
Today I did some research on having my own blackberry bushes like the ones I picked from yesterday. According to Billy Skaggs at the Hall County Extension Service, the easiest way to propagate the bushes is to take cuttings. Starting them from seeds will be much more difficult. Mr. Skaggs said that the seeds are very hard and need to be soaked in warm water or scratched up with sand paper. I have so many seeds, like at least a cup of them that I may just try that method as an experiment. Since I have had the experience of successfully propagating a rose bush from a cutting I want to try that first. I will report back on how this all works out.
Two guys from Green Scape came today and cut the grass in the vineyard. They did a great job and it took them almost three hours. The only bad thing was that they ran into some yellow jackets and both got stung several times. I know where it happened so I will go up and try to destroy them as they are just too harmful to humans. As far as I know they are not pollinators, so I will feel no regret.
With so little rain in the past few weeks watering in the garden was a must. The sensible time is during the evening. Thank goodness for a deep well. During the watering time I inspected my tomato plants and found all three of the big ones had ripe tomatoes ready for picking. Also I found way too many cucumbers which means a pickle making assignment is in my future, possibly on Saturday.
Just as I was finishing with the watering I picked a few blueberries before the birds could get them and they were not large but nice and sweet. A cool breeze came up and made it so very pleasant to be outdoors. The solar lights lining the front walk came on one by one and the colorful glowing sphere in the blueberry bed was fun to watch as it went from red to green to blue, then repeat the cycle. It was pretty and restful and rewarding to witness the dusk creeping in and the cool evening pushing out the hot day.
Two guys from Green Scape came today and cut the grass in the vineyard. They did a great job and it took them almost three hours. The only bad thing was that they ran into some yellow jackets and both got stung several times. I know where it happened so I will go up and try to destroy them as they are just too harmful to humans. As far as I know they are not pollinators, so I will feel no regret.
With so little rain in the past few weeks watering in the garden was a must. The sensible time is during the evening. Thank goodness for a deep well. During the watering time I inspected my tomato plants and found all three of the big ones had ripe tomatoes ready for picking. Also I found way too many cucumbers which means a pickle making assignment is in my future, possibly on Saturday.
Just as I was finishing with the watering I picked a few blueberries before the birds could get them and they were not large but nice and sweet. A cool breeze came up and made it so very pleasant to be outdoors. The solar lights lining the front walk came on one by one and the colorful glowing sphere in the blueberry bed was fun to watch as it went from red to green to blue, then repeat the cycle. It was pretty and restful and rewarding to witness the dusk creeping in and the cool evening pushing out the hot day.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
blackberry picking
The largest blackberry I have ever picked was the size of my thumb. It was one summer when I was out of school and just returned from a year in Corpus Christi Texas. Our home was at the foot of a mountain and the berries were behind the house, partly in the shade. I have never again seen any that size but I have seen some large ones and this was that day.
This morning at nine o'clock I met my neighbor up at the "gate" which is really gone now . We had a date to pick blueberries at a neighbors house. I had a large market basket but alas, it did not hold any blueberries today. Since those plans fell through I suggested we look for berries. We found plenty of them along the side of the road where she parked her car and the picking began. Those are the tallest berry plants I have ever seen, at least 10 feet tall and arching all over. The canes were red and very stout looking with thorns aplenty ! She had a green bucket and after a bit of stretching and reaching we were joined by Joe, her neighbor who was out for a morning walk. He began to pick and eat, calling it his breakfast. By the time the bottom of my basket was covered with both black and some black and red berries, I heard my friend give a squeal and jump back onto the road. She had suffered the bane of every Georgian. Not watching where she was walking she had stepped into a fire ant hill. She began shedding shoes and brushing her legs and making some very distressing noises. There was nothing to do but quit the place and get her home and some relief for those bites. She was concerned that I had not picked enough berries to make jelly so she gave me what she had picked and I gladly accepted !!.
Leaving her at the "gate" to her own way of dealing with her problem, I drove my golf cart up to the house. Inside I began right away to cull the berries, spray water over the lot and leave them in a collander as I had an appointment in Gainesville to have my hair "done".
By the time I got back home and had a bite of lunch the berries were sufficiently drained to go into my juicer. I have only had this M-J juicer for about 43 years. It has a history of its own but still works well enough for me to extract almost 4 cups of juice from those berries. With this task out of the way, I began to assemble the jars, lids, sugar, pectin, lemons and several tongs to finish the job.
Suffice it to say I now have 6 cups of blackberry jelly all properly sealed and cooling on a rack. I know it is super good jelly as I had about 2 tablespoons left in the bottom of the big pot. Did you know blackberry jelly is really good spread on a soda cracker ??? Well it is.
I hope I can go picking again on Saturday as I need some juice to go with the pint of frozen berry juice in my deep freeze. I know there are plenty left where I was today and I remember a spot down at the park near here. When my children were small we would always be on the lookout for berry plants when we went picnicing, making mental notes to return in June. They may have outgrown the lure of berry picking but I have not. I just have not found any blackberry jelly at the market which is as rich and satisfying as my own. Yet, it may really be the journey of the hunt which makes it all worthwhile.
This morning at nine o'clock I met my neighbor up at the "gate" which is really gone now . We had a date to pick blueberries at a neighbors house. I had a large market basket but alas, it did not hold any blueberries today. Since those plans fell through I suggested we look for berries. We found plenty of them along the side of the road where she parked her car and the picking began. Those are the tallest berry plants I have ever seen, at least 10 feet tall and arching all over. The canes were red and very stout looking with thorns aplenty ! She had a green bucket and after a bit of stretching and reaching we were joined by Joe, her neighbor who was out for a morning walk. He began to pick and eat, calling it his breakfast. By the time the bottom of my basket was covered with both black and some black and red berries, I heard my friend give a squeal and jump back onto the road. She had suffered the bane of every Georgian. Not watching where she was walking she had stepped into a fire ant hill. She began shedding shoes and brushing her legs and making some very distressing noises. There was nothing to do but quit the place and get her home and some relief for those bites. She was concerned that I had not picked enough berries to make jelly so she gave me what she had picked and I gladly accepted !!.
Leaving her at the "gate" to her own way of dealing with her problem, I drove my golf cart up to the house. Inside I began right away to cull the berries, spray water over the lot and leave them in a collander as I had an appointment in Gainesville to have my hair "done".
By the time I got back home and had a bite of lunch the berries were sufficiently drained to go into my juicer. I have only had this M-J juicer for about 43 years. It has a history of its own but still works well enough for me to extract almost 4 cups of juice from those berries. With this task out of the way, I began to assemble the jars, lids, sugar, pectin, lemons and several tongs to finish the job.
Suffice it to say I now have 6 cups of blackberry jelly all properly sealed and cooling on a rack. I know it is super good jelly as I had about 2 tablespoons left in the bottom of the big pot. Did you know blackberry jelly is really good spread on a soda cracker ??? Well it is.
I hope I can go picking again on Saturday as I need some juice to go with the pint of frozen berry juice in my deep freeze. I know there are plenty left where I was today and I remember a spot down at the park near here. When my children were small we would always be on the lookout for berry plants when we went picnicing, making mental notes to return in June. They may have outgrown the lure of berry picking but I have not. I just have not found any blackberry jelly at the market which is as rich and satisfying as my own. Yet, it may really be the journey of the hunt which makes it all worthwhile.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Family
Yesterday the dogs left with their master to go back to their normal routine. They gave him a royal welcome with leaps and bounds and "barks-a-Million". He thought Rocky had gained a little weight and I am not surprised as I always like to be sure everyone is well fed !! (like any good grandmother).
I sent my son-in-law home with kale from the garden and my first big tomato and cucumbers. In return he helped me move the posts for the electric fense so the fast growing tomato plant and blackberry bush would not touch it and break the electric circuit.
I always have a bit of adjusting to do after overnight guests leave - even if they are the four legged variety. I suppose I like the idea of having some other living being in this house with me.
Tuesday was spent being lazy and mixing up scotch bread cookie dough. After some chilling in the fridge I will find a day to form and bake the " black eyed susan" cookies. They will have a chocolate mint baked into the center. I puzzled over the recipe as it did not call for levening but after checking other recipes I decided they really did NOT need levening.
The balance of the day was spent in front of the television watching something I had not thought I would be interested in. However I became emotionally involved in the tribute to Michael Jackson as televised from Los Angeles. I found it touching and "real" in presentation. In our S.S. class our pastor has been talking about other faiths and last Sunday it was Jehovah Witnesses, which is what Michael's father and mother professed.
Afterwards I talked to my sister in Ohio to sort of bring myself back to reality. Television has a way of transporting me into another world and I needed to be grounded.!!
I sent my son-in-law home with kale from the garden and my first big tomato and cucumbers. In return he helped me move the posts for the electric fense so the fast growing tomato plant and blackberry bush would not touch it and break the electric circuit.
I always have a bit of adjusting to do after overnight guests leave - even if they are the four legged variety. I suppose I like the idea of having some other living being in this house with me.
Tuesday was spent being lazy and mixing up scotch bread cookie dough. After some chilling in the fridge I will find a day to form and bake the " black eyed susan" cookies. They will have a chocolate mint baked into the center. I puzzled over the recipe as it did not call for levening but after checking other recipes I decided they really did NOT need levening.
The balance of the day was spent in front of the television watching something I had not thought I would be interested in. However I became emotionally involved in the tribute to Michael Jackson as televised from Los Angeles. I found it touching and "real" in presentation. In our S.S. class our pastor has been talking about other faiths and last Sunday it was Jehovah Witnesses, which is what Michael's father and mother professed.
Afterwards I talked to my sister in Ohio to sort of bring myself back to reality. Television has a way of transporting me into another world and I needed to be grounded.!!
Sunday, July 5, 2009
family
The fourth of July is always best if spent with family and that is what I did this year, up here on the lake. "My guys", (my son and his two boys), came up and we had the noon meal together. My youngest grandson, age 12, went to the lake with his dad and they checked out the dock to see if it needed to be brought in. It did not so they enjoyed a bit of time sitting on the benches and looking out at the boaters. It is very pleasant down there listening to the water lapping against the shore. It gives one a lazy, everything is right with the world feeling.
My older grandson is 17 and has just returned from Germany. He and four classmates took a trip with their German teacher who came here from Germany and still owns a home there. His guest host was an 18 year old boy and they had a great time. My grandson brought back a lot of pictures which he took with this digital camera. He was using my digital photo frame ( a birthday gift from my son) to display his pictures and it was a treat for me. I asked him what one thing stood out in his mind about his visit in Germany. Without hesitation he said "public transportation". Their bus and rail system made it very convenient to go anywhere they wanted to go. He spoke only German while there and I am sure that improved his German speaking skills.
The two dogs were very happy to get all of the back rubs and scratches from the boys. I can tell they miss their master and mistress, but at least they can go out whenever they want and run freely. At home they live in a condo on the second level and going out is controlled walking whereas here I just open the door and out they go !!
I sent green tomatoes home with my son and also instructions on preparing fried green tomatoes ! It was a quiet, restful fourth with no fireworks and that could be a good thing. I can say that because I have memories of one fourth in Maryland when my husband took us to the stadium at the Naval Academy in Annapolis. It was a special treat to be so close to the display, as we sat up in the bleachers, and took it all in. My son was four at the time and possibly it was his first time to be present at such an event. He was looking up toward the high spraying sparks and one little cinder landed on his eye. I already had an ophthalmologist in Baltimore so he was properly evaluated soon afterwards. No damage was done as the cinder missed the cornea by a small margin. I was thankful for that.
After they left for home I went down to the raised beds to do some watering since we have had no rain for three weeks. I saw the smaller lizard scampering over the concrete block lining the beds and I spied a very pink tomato on the Goliath vine. I could not resist picking it even though it could have stayed on a bit longer. Also one of the blackbery bushes had two big red berries on one branch. That surprised me as I thought it was all finished with that. I made several trips up to the house in my golf cart as I had not taken down a basket and I kept finding lots of cucumbers. I put the tomato on my kitchen diet scale and it weighed over one pound, as the indicator went past 16 ounces.
Whereas I saw no fireworks I certainly did hear them. Some neighbors to the west of me celebrate every holiday by firing off screamers and boomers and the colorful sprayers. Since I get up with the sun, I also go to bed with the sun so I heard all of this just as I was drifting off to sleep. A lovely fourth of July this year.
My older grandson is 17 and has just returned from Germany. He and four classmates took a trip with their German teacher who came here from Germany and still owns a home there. His guest host was an 18 year old boy and they had a great time. My grandson brought back a lot of pictures which he took with this digital camera. He was using my digital photo frame ( a birthday gift from my son) to display his pictures and it was a treat for me. I asked him what one thing stood out in his mind about his visit in Germany. Without hesitation he said "public transportation". Their bus and rail system made it very convenient to go anywhere they wanted to go. He spoke only German while there and I am sure that improved his German speaking skills.
The two dogs were very happy to get all of the back rubs and scratches from the boys. I can tell they miss their master and mistress, but at least they can go out whenever they want and run freely. At home they live in a condo on the second level and going out is controlled walking whereas here I just open the door and out they go !!
I sent green tomatoes home with my son and also instructions on preparing fried green tomatoes ! It was a quiet, restful fourth with no fireworks and that could be a good thing. I can say that because I have memories of one fourth in Maryland when my husband took us to the stadium at the Naval Academy in Annapolis. It was a special treat to be so close to the display, as we sat up in the bleachers, and took it all in. My son was four at the time and possibly it was his first time to be present at such an event. He was looking up toward the high spraying sparks and one little cinder landed on his eye. I already had an ophthalmologist in Baltimore so he was properly evaluated soon afterwards. No damage was done as the cinder missed the cornea by a small margin. I was thankful for that.
After they left for home I went down to the raised beds to do some watering since we have had no rain for three weeks. I saw the smaller lizard scampering over the concrete block lining the beds and I spied a very pink tomato on the Goliath vine. I could not resist picking it even though it could have stayed on a bit longer. Also one of the blackbery bushes had two big red berries on one branch. That surprised me as I thought it was all finished with that. I made several trips up to the house in my golf cart as I had not taken down a basket and I kept finding lots of cucumbers. I put the tomato on my kitchen diet scale and it weighed over one pound, as the indicator went past 16 ounces.
Whereas I saw no fireworks I certainly did hear them. Some neighbors to the west of me celebrate every holiday by firing off screamers and boomers and the colorful sprayers. Since I get up with the sun, I also go to bed with the sun so I heard all of this just as I was drifting off to sleep. A lovely fourth of July this year.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
bridge surprises
There have not been too many times in life that I have "won" ANYTHING. The times that come to mind are first, when I was a high school senior. Each year the seniors would vote for the classmate they thought fit the description of a particular category, best student, most popular, most likely to succeed, etc. My senior year I was voted the "best all around girl". I had not even thought of such a thing.
In the early l970's I spent Christmas wisitng with my sister and her husband at Fontana Dam in Tennessee. My son had gone to San Francisco with our friend and her daughter. My daughter was attending Emory, living in her own apartment and spending Christmas with her boy friend. So, my new husband and I met my sister and her husband there to celebrate the holiday. Various activities were planned for the guests. I reluctantly agreed to play bingo. I still have the little gray ceramic cat that I won at those games.
Next coming to mind took place in the late 70's at the first annual, county wide teacher's fair held in the county where I was teaching. Our principal had urged any who would, to enter a teaching procedure which had proven successsful. So, I did that, and won first place. When my name was called I did not react as I had no idea a prize was even being given, as it was the first time for a teachers fair. I had just enjoyed the whole experience. I later took my project on to the regional fair and placed second to a teacher who led her students in raising baby chicks. My project involved teaching interrelated skills in a year long activity through language arts. This was at the first grade level. It came before the time of teaching independent writing at an early age.
The last surprise came yesterday. I attended the Friday bridge games for those with master points below 199. This was my second visit and you may remember that last week my teacher was my partner and we placed fourth. However it did not count as he was not allowed to claim. This time my partner turned out to be a man named Harry whose wife normally was his partner, however she had flu and did not come. Harry was a very kind and helpful man. At the end of the games I was gathering my belongings and our director said to the group, "Do you want to guess who placed first?" Someone said "Harry", so apparently he was known to win a LOT. The director said " team 2 at 62% " and called our names. I looked at Harry and said "No one is more surprised than me"!! As a novice, having a great partner helped me survive. Also, being the day before the fourth many regular players were away and I feel sure that affected the results.
As I was growing up my mother would prepare us for disaster by saying "expect not and you won't be disappointed". Some folks take the opposite stance, visualizing success and working toward it. My doctor once said to me "with you it is all or nothing, isn't it?" I just looked at her and did not know what she meant by that. I have since puzzled ovr her statement and still am not sure. It may mean I enjoy the process of proving I CAN do something. If anyone has ideas re: what my doctor meant, I would like to have your input.
May this be a memorable fourth of July for all, with only happy surprises, and this includes you, my lifelong friend in Kentucky.
In the early l970's I spent Christmas wisitng with my sister and her husband at Fontana Dam in Tennessee. My son had gone to San Francisco with our friend and her daughter. My daughter was attending Emory, living in her own apartment and spending Christmas with her boy friend. So, my new husband and I met my sister and her husband there to celebrate the holiday. Various activities were planned for the guests. I reluctantly agreed to play bingo. I still have the little gray ceramic cat that I won at those games.
Next coming to mind took place in the late 70's at the first annual, county wide teacher's fair held in the county where I was teaching. Our principal had urged any who would, to enter a teaching procedure which had proven successsful. So, I did that, and won first place. When my name was called I did not react as I had no idea a prize was even being given, as it was the first time for a teachers fair. I had just enjoyed the whole experience. I later took my project on to the regional fair and placed second to a teacher who led her students in raising baby chicks. My project involved teaching interrelated skills in a year long activity through language arts. This was at the first grade level. It came before the time of teaching independent writing at an early age.
The last surprise came yesterday. I attended the Friday bridge games for those with master points below 199. This was my second visit and you may remember that last week my teacher was my partner and we placed fourth. However it did not count as he was not allowed to claim. This time my partner turned out to be a man named Harry whose wife normally was his partner, however she had flu and did not come. Harry was a very kind and helpful man. At the end of the games I was gathering my belongings and our director said to the group, "Do you want to guess who placed first?" Someone said "Harry", so apparently he was known to win a LOT. The director said " team 2 at 62% " and called our names. I looked at Harry and said "No one is more surprised than me"!! As a novice, having a great partner helped me survive. Also, being the day before the fourth many regular players were away and I feel sure that affected the results.
As I was growing up my mother would prepare us for disaster by saying "expect not and you won't be disappointed". Some folks take the opposite stance, visualizing success and working toward it. My doctor once said to me "with you it is all or nothing, isn't it?" I just looked at her and did not know what she meant by that. I have since puzzled ovr her statement and still am not sure. It may mean I enjoy the process of proving I CAN do something. If anyone has ideas re: what my doctor meant, I would like to have your input.
May this be a memorable fourth of July for all, with only happy surprises, and this includes you, my lifelong friend in Kentucky.
Friday, July 3, 2009
family, friends
When the fourh of July rolls around I invariably think of my childhood friend who is still living in Kentucky. Her mother was the organist for our church and my friend learned music and to appreciate it at an early age. I used to play "bob jacks" with her on the concrete walk leading up to our home. She would play her piano in her home and I watched longingly as I wanted to do the same. But alas, with eight children in our family I learned other things instead.
The reason I associate her with the fourth of July is that her birthday is on the fourth. And I remember what she said about that, " fire crackers went off under her mother's bed " and that brought on her birth ! She had a jolly spirit and I do not remember her as a complainer. She married a musician who was a high school band director. She too, taught music and in her retirement years she had her own business . With a portable organ she traveled around the bluegrass region of Ky., playing for horse shows.
Other memories come flooding in as well. Like family picnics on the edge of the Cumberland River in Kentucky. Between Harlan and Pineville there are huge flat rocks along the Cumberland river and we had many picnics there. Brave souls could swim and the parents could visit in lawn chairs brought along for just such activities. My father always selected the watermelon. He would "plug" a watermelon to see how ripe it was before purchasing that important part of the celebration. In case someone out there does not understand what that means, he would use a knife to cut a triangular shape into the side of the melon and lift it out for inspection. I doubt a customer could get by with that today.
Our church would always have a picnic at the boy scout camp ( Camp Blanton) between Harlan and Pineville. Our pastor, Mark Andrews would buy a new galvanized tub and make enough lemonade for the entire congregation. It never occurred to me at the time but he must have used a peck of lemon and no telling how much sugar. Instant lemonade or frozen was not in existence at that time. My parents regarded Dr.Andrews highly and appreciated his sermons. They also were very fond of the bib lettuce he always grew and shared with them.
The picnic that still brings a smile to my face took place in Maryland with my husband and two small children. We had a lot of picnics, even in winter. I still have a picture of us at a picnic table beside the Potomac River when we lived in Maryland. It was in the dead of winter and we all had on coats and scarves ! Back to the memorable event. We had eaten our lunch and went for a walk in the park. Coming back we were all anticipating the chocolate meringue pie we had left in our basket on the picnic table. When I opened the basket, there was no pie,or pie plate, or even a crumb. I was not laughing that day. !! I do know that someone could not resist my chocolate pie, and a lesson was learned. Never go off and leave your cookies on a table for any passer-by.
If you can top that story I would really like to hear from you !! :)
The reason I associate her with the fourth of July is that her birthday is on the fourth. And I remember what she said about that, " fire crackers went off under her mother's bed " and that brought on her birth ! She had a jolly spirit and I do not remember her as a complainer. She married a musician who was a high school band director. She too, taught music and in her retirement years she had her own business . With a portable organ she traveled around the bluegrass region of Ky., playing for horse shows.
Other memories come flooding in as well. Like family picnics on the edge of the Cumberland River in Kentucky. Between Harlan and Pineville there are huge flat rocks along the Cumberland river and we had many picnics there. Brave souls could swim and the parents could visit in lawn chairs brought along for just such activities. My father always selected the watermelon. He would "plug" a watermelon to see how ripe it was before purchasing that important part of the celebration. In case someone out there does not understand what that means, he would use a knife to cut a triangular shape into the side of the melon and lift it out for inspection. I doubt a customer could get by with that today.
Our church would always have a picnic at the boy scout camp ( Camp Blanton) between Harlan and Pineville. Our pastor, Mark Andrews would buy a new galvanized tub and make enough lemonade for the entire congregation. It never occurred to me at the time but he must have used a peck of lemon and no telling how much sugar. Instant lemonade or frozen was not in existence at that time. My parents regarded Dr.Andrews highly and appreciated his sermons. They also were very fond of the bib lettuce he always grew and shared with them.
The picnic that still brings a smile to my face took place in Maryland with my husband and two small children. We had a lot of picnics, even in winter. I still have a picture of us at a picnic table beside the Potomac River when we lived in Maryland. It was in the dead of winter and we all had on coats and scarves ! Back to the memorable event. We had eaten our lunch and went for a walk in the park. Coming back we were all anticipating the chocolate meringue pie we had left in our basket on the picnic table. When I opened the basket, there was no pie,or pie plate, or even a crumb. I was not laughing that day. !! I do know that someone could not resist my chocolate pie, and a lesson was learned. Never go off and leave your cookies on a table for any passer-by.
If you can top that story I would really like to hear from you !! :)
Thursday, July 2, 2009
bridge
This morning I went into the senior center at Shady Grove. What a nice place !! A nice indoor pool and I played bridge with the swim instructor. She has groups for losing weight and also for people with arthritis. I told her I did not have arthritis and did not need to lose weight. She said to come and just swim (on the designated times). So, I may look into that - if I ever find time.
At my first table I played opposite a man ( with a walker, age 88 ). He was good and he was fast and he was agressive - (in bridge). I had one good hand and I bid and made my bid, but alas it was not at game. No matter, as we changed tables and partners, I mostly had "pass" hads but did a good job of defending and I did bid and make one game. So, it was fun and I told the receptionist that I would not be back the next two Thursdays as I had medical appointments. But I did enjoy my visit.
The dogs were beside themselves with joy when I returned ! They thrive on "any" excitement !! So, I do not attribute the joy to seeing me, but just that they are dogs and that is what dogs do !!
Tomorrow is duplicate at the bridge center in Gainesville. If I do not have a partner perhaps our director will again keep me afloat. One lady today was asking if any of us knew how to play key card. I thought it was a new game but she said it was a way of bidding to ask for aces and kings. I am having enough trouble learning and remembering the standard way, and I do not need to confuse myself with some new twist when the old way will get me there just as well.
It has been a good day over all and it is only 2:19 in the afternoon!!
At my first table I played opposite a man ( with a walker, age 88 ). He was good and he was fast and he was agressive - (in bridge). I had one good hand and I bid and made my bid, but alas it was not at game. No matter, as we changed tables and partners, I mostly had "pass" hads but did a good job of defending and I did bid and make one game. So, it was fun and I told the receptionist that I would not be back the next two Thursdays as I had medical appointments. But I did enjoy my visit.
The dogs were beside themselves with joy when I returned ! They thrive on "any" excitement !! So, I do not attribute the joy to seeing me, but just that they are dogs and that is what dogs do !!
Tomorrow is duplicate at the bridge center in Gainesville. If I do not have a partner perhaps our director will again keep me afloat. One lady today was asking if any of us knew how to play key card. I thought it was a new game but she said it was a way of bidding to ask for aces and kings. I am having enough trouble learning and remembering the standard way, and I do not need to confuse myself with some new twist when the old way will get me there just as well.
It has been a good day over all and it is only 2:19 in the afternoon!!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
family
Yesterday my son-in-law came up to mow grass and help with other chores. He went back home in the early evening but his two dogs stayed. They are spending the fourth of July with me. The smaller one is a Pomeranian and the larger dog is a rescue dog which they found in a foster home. He needed a lot of T.L.C. and he has certainly gotten that. He is part chow and it is amusing to me to watch the two dogs together as they both have that back curled tail. That is where the resemblance ends. The Pomeranian is named Cujo and the other, Rocky, so named as her face was reminiscent of a famous boxer, Rocky Marciano. Rocky has an underbite and when she takes a treat she does it ever so gently, like the lady she is. Rocky is a replacement for Bruno, a sheltie who was a beloved pet for all of his 17 dog years. Rocky has some of the characteristics of Bruno as she will lie down next to you almost on your feet. Shelties are good family dogs and I think Rocky is too as she likes to be close to her master or mistress.
So, today was our first full day together in over two years. They stayed with me once before and it so happened that I had a broken arm. My sister was here visiting and thank goodness for her presence, not to help me but to hold the leash for Rocky. No sooner had my daughter left than Rocky took off for the lake and when she returned she had been wallowing in stinky, dirty water that she found irresistible. It was nearing dusk and I could not leave her outdoors, time was of the essence. My sister assisted me while I got Rocky corralled and inside. Then I was able to pull on the leash with my good arm and get her upstairs and into the bathtub. With a flexible shower hose and liquid soap I managed to get her cleaned. I was one hot, sweaty, dog sitter by the time I finished. the cast on my arm was now the color of Rocky's mud bath. I have since learned that as long as I am inside the house she will not run off down to her private spa. If I need to do outside chores I leave her INSIDE, it all works fine. My daughter felt so bad about the incident that she said she would never ask me to keep the dogs again. At that point I pretty much agreed with her. However, the trip was an important one to them as their only son and my first born grandson was graduating from Columbia College IN nEW yORK and they wanted to be there. Once when they left Bruno at a dog kennel he went into depression and it took a long time for him to recover from that experience. So, no more kennels. I have learned to love these two doggers, and I pride myself on being able to do most anything !
This trip is the first they have taken without the dogs since that fateful day. I no longer have a weak arm and in fact I did some canning this morning. Three quarts and two pints of bread and butter pickles.
I feel more confident this time around but I am careful to adhere to the formula of ME in and the dogs out or me out and the dogs IN. It is a good plan !!
So, today was our first full day together in over two years. They stayed with me once before and it so happened that I had a broken arm. My sister was here visiting and thank goodness for her presence, not to help me but to hold the leash for Rocky. No sooner had my daughter left than Rocky took off for the lake and when she returned she had been wallowing in stinky, dirty water that she found irresistible. It was nearing dusk and I could not leave her outdoors, time was of the essence. My sister assisted me while I got Rocky corralled and inside. Then I was able to pull on the leash with my good arm and get her upstairs and into the bathtub. With a flexible shower hose and liquid soap I managed to get her cleaned. I was one hot, sweaty, dog sitter by the time I finished. the cast on my arm was now the color of Rocky's mud bath. I have since learned that as long as I am inside the house she will not run off down to her private spa. If I need to do outside chores I leave her INSIDE, it all works fine. My daughter felt so bad about the incident that she said she would never ask me to keep the dogs again. At that point I pretty much agreed with her. However, the trip was an important one to them as their only son and my first born grandson was graduating from Columbia College IN nEW yORK and they wanted to be there. Once when they left Bruno at a dog kennel he went into depression and it took a long time for him to recover from that experience. So, no more kennels. I have learned to love these two doggers, and I pride myself on being able to do most anything !
This trip is the first they have taken without the dogs since that fateful day. I no longer have a weak arm and in fact I did some canning this morning. Three quarts and two pints of bread and butter pickles.
I feel more confident this time around but I am careful to adhere to the formula of ME in and the dogs out or me out and the dogs IN. It is a good plan !!
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