New

It will be a brand new year when we awake tomorrow.  I think I'm ready for some new. We've had many new experiences this year, but I can't really brag that it's been much fun.  Ol' Abner has a gently used "new" lung.  While it's wonderful to know that his life has been extended through the blessing of transplant, someone's loved one saw the end of life to allow his gift. That sobering knowledge makes us ever more respectful and willing to jump through the hoops necessary to keep that lung healthy and thriving. 

Enough said about that weighty responsibility.  This year we finished the new playhouse, we lived in Houston (not a new experience) and found some new eating places there.  Ol' Abner finally talked me into a new car, and he bought a couple of not so new ones.  We met some wonderful people this year and those new friends are feeling like old friends already. 

Having always subscribed to the practice that insurance purchased and never needed was a better option than needing it once and not having it, we found ourselves needing to choose new health insurance plans. Maneuvering through the website, holding for hours on end to talk to a real person, then dealing with the issue of the name (names) my dear mother placed on my birth certificate but seldom used! Today I think I can say, all needed coverage has been added to our portfolio. Of course, today is the absolute deadline.  For once I really wanted to finish the process early, but "early time" was truly wasted in frustration. Perhaps I'll let Ol' Abner sort through the coverage for all our dependents with wheels attached.

Finally Retired

I am younger than Ol' Abner. He retired from his working life earlier than many. When his company offered to pretend he was five years older than reality and then credited him with an additional five years of service, he gleefully walked away. By then I had tired of changing jobs and starting over as he was transferred time after time. With the most recent transfer, I told him I was tired of being a "trailing spouse" and thought co-worker a more favorable status. He laughed at me, I took the test,  I passed the test, the company offered me a job in another office.  I declined, he suggested I should take what was offered.  A couple of weeks later, a call came from the office where he worked with a job offer.  I accepted, he warned me that I must find my own lunch buddies, and we became co-workers.  It was a good fit for the most part.  He continued to lunch with a group of smokers, I made friends with some I met in training and a few others. Just over a year into my new employment, he wasn't transferred, he retired.  

I saw no reason to resign and stay home with him.  In fact I rather liked the idea of a "house husband". His initial plan had included an additional career, but it never happened.  He completed a few handyman projects, convinced me to quit my job and we planned to travel. First, he wanted to find a cabin on a lake somewhere and we began the search.  When the twin towers fell, everything changed.  Our retirement nest egg shrank and looked as though we might be headed for destitution.  I went back to work to boost our personal economy, and eventually was transferred to my hometown in the Texas Panhandle.  I bought a tiny house with a double garage (it gets really ugly in the winter there), and he proceeded to list our home for sale.  Meanwhile we had discovered the beauty of the deep lakes in the Ozarks. I worked and he assumed the role of puppy nurturer.  Our Belle selected him when she was only five days old. That love affair continues, today.  They traveled to the Ozarks without me several times and eventually found a thirty year old house, with thirty year old drapes, and we finally had our home on the lake.  I worked a little longer while he replaced appliances, flooring and counter tops.The drapes were the same fabric we had used to drape our windows in our new house in 1978.  I liked them then, and he thought I would again. The market had recovered and I bid farewell to my job. I had window coverings to buy.

A year or so later, I received a call with a suggestion that I might want to return to work in the office just across the river from our home in the Ozarks.  Ol' Abner had just been diagnosed with a new malady, and I gracefully declined.  When I ended the call, he reminded me that if he died, I would have not insurance.  As you know, I am younger than he. At his urging, I called back to see if I could change my mind.  I could and I did.  A week later, I was in yet another office, same company, some new faces, and back to the workforce. Mind you, my husband did not intend to die, but he always likes to point out the "worst case scenario", and he proceeded with his recovery.  The job, this time led me around Western Missouri, Eastern Oklahoma and Kansas.  I made some dear friends and loved the work. Ol' Abner rather enjoyed getting to know the old men around our little town.  After a couple of years, my weekday absence became inconvenient again.  I was needed to help settle Pappy as his age related dementia was evident. I took a leave of absence, then returned long enough to resign...again.  As I became a full time resident of our little Ozark community, I was repeatedly asked how I like retirement.  I still cannot understand how they confused my status.  Over and over, I had to explain that I just QUIT.  I was home and the paycheck had been discontinued.  How is THAT considered retirement? Having left the company for the third time, I accepted that my contributions to a 401K were the only retirement funds I would ever see.

I reached the official retirement age a few months ago.  I set up my social security income and received my Medicare card.  I spent endless hours on the telephone with an insurance exchange setting up my supplement and drug plans.  Yep, I am officially "old". What a surprise! I was notified that with the milestone age, I was eligible for retirement income from the company where I had enjoyed three short tenures. Even though I followed that old man right out of the job a few times, I can still enjoy a little retirement income. 

The Fix is in!

In case you have forgotten...or maybe you never knew, I am the one who tends to break things, NOT the fixer.  I am spending this week with my grand daughters while daughter and son in law are in London.  (Yes, I know LONDON is MY big plan, and I'll get there eventually) Daughter left lengthy instructions in case one of the girls, pets, or house breaks.  Permission slips, Insurance cards, medication schedules, class schedules, maps and contingency plans were all addressed prior to her exit from the country.  Other than the four am awakening each day, I felt certain that I was capable of maintaining a smoothly run household even in parental absence. At fourteen and seventeen, both girls are fairly self sufficient, the younger requiring a chauffeur, but otherwise knowledgeable of all things expected of her.

Pushing the handle on the toilet in the downstairs bathroom brought no response on one of those stops on the way into the house.  Even with my limited mechanical knowledge, I knew to check to see if the chain inside the tank had come loose.  It was still firmly attached to the little bar, but the little bar was just lolling around in the water attached to nothing on the other end.  I pulled on it and the toilet flushed, released it and the tank began to fill with water. You have no idea how satisfying this can be to one usually unable to make things of this nature function.  In my newfound area of expertise, I thought I would simply snap the end of the bar back into the place where it meets the handle on the inside of the tank.  It is plastic and the connection was still in place but snapped in half, never to connect again.  My first thought, Son in law will fix this easily when he returns. After about fifteen manual flushes (reminding myself each time that this is CLEAN water) it occurred to me that this might be daughter's first stop as she enters her home tonight. I thought it would be comforting to know that the part was already in place for her spouse's easy correction of the problem.  I mentioned it when talking to Ol' Abner this afternoon and he told me what I would need to buy.  As we talked it came to mind that Da' Handygirl across the street was always doing some sort of home repair including some fairly complicated plumbing projects. I tentatively mentioned her ability and asked him if I might be able to take on this project.  Since he is a few hundred miles to the south, he said "Sure", but if I can't figure it out, it will probably be helpful to son in law to have the part here when he arrives.  

With a sense of mission, I drove to the big box home repair store, purchased the required part for the toilet and returned to begin reading the instructions. Elder Grand came downstairs and I requested that she see if a pair of pliers like the ones pictured in the tool list might be found and she brought them in.  I showed her the instructions and she seemed to think this was not beyond my capabilities.  Perhaps not, but in the end, I read instructions, opened packages and she installed the new toilet flusher.  It flushes nicely, now (and I did have to keep reminding her that it was clean water).  Did I mention that she has chosen engineering as her field of study as she approaches college?

Time to shuck it and chunk it!

We are loving the cooler Autumn days and quiet moments in the Texas Hill Country.  Our new routine is surprisingly comfortable.  Ol' Abner is still avoiding crowds and small children, but we have adapted to a nice lifestyle.  The playhouse, completed last fall, but never fully enjoyed is calling him. Daughter in Law's mustang and Ol' Abner's newly acquired vintage corvette are housed therein and multitude of partially unloaded boxes surround the machinery.  The riding lawnmower was damaged as he and son pulled the corvette off the trailer, and he has tools scattered for it's repair.  I'm perfectly ok with an indisposed riding lawn tractor.   I prefer to mow with a power mower that I can push.  It's a much more satisfying process for me. Lawn tools only occupy a small amount of the space. I don't care if he gets the rider repaired any time this year, unless it's just to move it elsewhere in the playhouse.  All the boxes, as yet unloaded, should probably be discarded and never worried over again.  The wardrobe box with my tablecloths hasn't been needed, and I'm really out of the mood to serve meals on lovely linen. The stuffed animals from our children's early childhood can go home with them or I'll say bye to them. Boxes of empty picture frames should be donated to a thrift shop.  Now Ol' Abner's stuff may be another story, but I'll see if I can prod him into action. Perhaps it's time to pare down and simplify.  I know I've said that before...but this time I mean it!...because I can FEEL it! 

A Mystery is Solved

We left the Houston condo just over a month ago.  Ol' Abner made his exit with a loaded pickup as I gathered the last of our belongings and awaited our landlord's visit to retrieve keys.  I had most everything loaded in my car and with only a couple of trips to the dumpsters needed to finish my mission.  She came in and surveyed the items we would leave behind for the next occupants and we had a lovely visit.  One last walk through to be sure I wasn't leaving necessary items, and I was out the door and through the front gate.  It was late that night when I pulled my loaded car into the garage, came inside and promptly crawled in bed.  The next morning, Ol' Abner had unloaded my car and stacked it's contents neatly on a table in the garage, that is the things he hadn't already put away. I was ever so grateful that I didn't have to unload that cargo.  It was a few days later when a certain piece of costume was necessary to complete my look.  I went to the closet in search of my jewelry travel bag. It's where the most of my accessory pieces are stored, and when I could not find it, panic began to build.  Well, perhaps not true panic, but a sick level of concern.  I replayed each step of the load and questioned Ol' Abner extensively about the unloading process.  I called the new occupants of the condo, asked Dancin' Girl to search the room where we sleep when visiting at her house, and finally unloaded all the shelves of my closet, all the travel bags, and boxes with no travel bag found.  I was distraught, Ol' Abner felt guilty and suggested I go buy more jewelry.  I explained that these things can't be found when I'm looking for them.  Costume jewelry just speaks when seen at the the right time and place. Once in a while, when purchasing a new item of clothing, coordinating accessories can be located at the same time.  That's when shopping is really serious and I am not much of a serious shopper. My bag is an ever evolving collection to which I must add and subtract frequently as my wardrobe dictates. 

Dancin' Girl and Guitar Man made a quick trip to the lake this weekend.  They have been unable to come down since we have been back. They brought our mail and checked in with neighbors to keep our homeplace going while we spent the necessary months in the Houston Medical Center.  When a funeral appearred to have sidetracked their plan to come this weekend, they decided a short trip was better than no trip and came anyway.  We gathered the makings for dinner, marinated meat and chopped some veggies to meet them as they arrived.  She has been concerned about a spike in the water bill.  I make a trip over and walked through the house listening to running water.  We stopped by and looked at the water meter to see if it was running with no apparent activity, but still no clue to the mystery water flow.  She texted to let us know they had arrived, and that a mystery had been solved. She told me she would show us when we arrived.  As we walked in she pointed out the shampoo bottle I had left on her counter (over a month ago).  I was horrified that I must have left the shower running or some such stupidity.  I'm not always good at reading clues.

 She sent me into the room where we had slept when we were home before the move with an ailing air conditioner.  We took advantage of a cool place to sleep at their lakehouse and I left for my quilting retreat the next morning.  I suddenly remembered unloading several undergarments AND my jewelry travel bag to lighten the load I was carrying.  I'm relieved to have found it.  Once again, Dancing Girl has resolved a trauma in my life and I have added a few pieces that may become favorites to my collection.

Putting together the Pieces

A few weeks ago I indulged in a retreat with three friends in the hill country.  We stayed at a "Quilt Haus" with a quilting instructor nearby, teaching and cooking wonderful meals in her home.  We spent hours in front of windows boasting of a lovely daylight view of the valley outside.  Cutting tables were in the center of the room and ironing tables on either side were handy as we sewed from the tables provided. The views out those windows! Oh yes, hummingbirds frantically feeding and beautiful sunrises. It would have been wonderful even without the expect instruction we received.

Late summer in Texas Hill Country is hot and dry, but leaves one with a sense of vastness that is breathtaking.  From the hillside where Emile's Quilt Haus rested, we looked out over a countryside that appeared to be endless.  While our lodging was modern with air conditioning and indoor plumbing, a feel for the past was all around us.  The owner had moved a cabin belonging to her grandmother onto the property a year of so ago.  The view to the left was from her front porch. The tiny cabin felt amazingly spacious when standing just inside the front door, though it was smaller than a single garage.  I am not sure where it was originally built, but it looked right at home here.

We spent three days cutting and sewing and enjoying the views of the countryside.  Since I've been home, the quilt blocks are untouched.  Winter is coming and I know I'll enjoy taking advantage of some cool weather to indulge in "indoor activity" like quilt making.  I still have a lot of work to do.

Normal

I am ready for life to be normal again.  Actually I'm sorta wondering what normal might be. This is the new normal we keep hearing.  I don't feel any different.  Ol' Abner says he still feels the same other than it's nice to take a deep breath anytime he wants and life is nice without having to drag around an oxygen tank.  We've surrendered the apartment in the bayou city and are back home permanently.  When he goes for those monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly clinic visits, we'll stay with friends or family and it will feel as much like a social event as a medically necessary trip.  We always love spending time in Houston but this long stay has given us a new appreciation for the hill county.  I love the dry sunny climate here even if we do suffer from drought issues.  A golf game is seldom interrupted by rain and thunder, but the occasional storm is appreciated. Austin area restaurants are superb, entertainment is plentiful and easy to attend. Most important, we have good friends and family here.  Yes, it is good to be home. I will to continue post from time to time on the Caring Bridge site, but I'm really ready to discuss life in the "normal" lane.

We can see it from here!

As Ol' Abner recovers from his surgery, I am looking to the near future.  I refused to cancel summer and autumn plans just in case he might be too ill to enjoy them.  It was a good decision.  As we move into July, August looks like a good time to escape from the Bayou City and return to life as usual...well, as usual as it will ever be again.  We missed a family reunion and a fiftieth anniversary party in June, but those sacrifices were understood and lauded. We will use the month of July to prepare our house in the hill country for life with a suppressed immune system.  That means removing all carpet and replacing with a solid surface flooring. The house has had only occasional occupancy for the last three months, so I'm pretty sure the dust bunnies have taken up residence. Fun events planned for August and September look like we can enjoy full participation. I may need to get home and gather my quilting supplies soon.  A quilting retreat is on the calendar and I already have the pattern.  My fingers are itching.... 

Invisible?

This year I will be officially old.  The government says so and if the government says it, it must be so!  I guess we could debate that theory on any given day, but it may be time for me to enjoy the perks of being "officially" old. Earlier in the month I went online and set up my Social Security user id and attempted to apply for my monthly retirement payments to begin the same month as inception of my Medicare benefit.   Instructions were fairly straight forward and questions requiring answers seemed a little invasive.  How does the government know how long I've had that particular credit card or who holds my mortgage??? Answers to those questions had to be correct in order to prove I am who I am.  I worked my way through the nosiness of the site assuming it was for my own good, filled in all the choices in an effort to have my benefits in place on my 65th birthday.  It took just under an hour to muddle through the maize and at the end, it suggested I review the information for accuracy and select "submit" if it was correct and ready to go.  I did, but it did not...GO that is!  The little icon just began to spin when I hit "submit" and continued to spin for several minutes until my screen saver timed it out.  I awakened it to see no sign that the process had completed. For several days I tried unsuccessfully to re-visit my application.  Finally, today I went to the local Social Security office.  

I arrived around ten a.m. and there was a short line at the front door.  Within half an hour I had been given a number and called to one of the cubicles to explain what I needed.  A few keystrokes and the clerk told me to have a seat and I would be called by name shortly.  I asked if my application showed in the system, she said she wouldn't be able to see it if it was there.  OK, I should feel pleased that my information is not available to just anyone. I sat down and waited.  Others were called back and more sat solemnly in chairs around me. After about three hours or so, all chairs had changed occupants except mine.  Time was racing and I did need to be elsewhere by four.  Just after three, I started over to ask the uniformed crowd control officer if i could schedule a firm appointment another day.  Before I reached him a man in a business suit asked if he could help me.  I explained my dilemma and he asked my name and asked me to wait just one moment.  He went through the big door and returned in about 30 seconds waving me forward.  Behind the door, he asked if I could allow about ten minutes to finish the process and apologized for my long wait.  He said it was not acceptable for anyone to be kept waiting more than two hours. The lady who handled my application said my name was nowhere in the que and she didn't know what had happened.  I guess I was wrong to be relieved that I couldn't be seen in the system.  I wonder if I will get an invisible Medicare Card or invisible money...

It's not Even Green!

Ol' Abner is a stubborn soul.  He's been kicking tires and trying to convince me I need a new car for over a year.  I was very much in the mindset for a trade up about three years ago. When the ailing air conditioner was so easily repaired, that urge passed quickly.  He has ramped up the pressure in the last year or so.  Kicking tires on Sunday afternoon has occupied many days whether I was with him or not.  He has read all the reviews of the newest models and has shared the results of that research with me frequently.  Of course I should have seen where this was going.  We've played this silly game before.  He asks what kind of car I would like.  There was a time that a luxury SUV was high on my list, but that time has long passed.  Parking spaces are just too small these days and maneuvering the Texas Medical Center parking garages has made me think perhaps I should dredge up my ancient grudge at him for selling my VW Bug many years ago.  My current response to the car choice question lately has been "I would like another just like the one I have".  It's a futile question, he knows, since they stopped making my kind of car five years ago.  His research uncovered one of those bits of information about shared technology.  He had found a brand using the same features I have liked so much in my ten year old car.

Yesterday, I was grumbling about being almost out of gas.  He knows I hate pumping gas, but he currently cannot do it for me.  He had run me all over town on spontaneous shopping and eating adventures.  He suggested we drop in at an auto dealership that just happened to be on the service road we were traveling.  I was tired and really had other plans for my day, but I humored him. He had me on the test drive when the salesman mentioned that every car purchased leaves the lot with a full tank of gas!  At that point I didn't even care what color it was.  I now have a back up camera, built in navigation system...and all the new technology I don't yet know how to use. 

We had a phone call just as we finished agreeing to purchase and had to go to the hospital to re-admit Ol' Abner, so they filled the tank and we left.  I'll go back tomorrow and get a formal lesson on the use of all these new goodies.  When Dancing Girl returns from the West Coast, she'll probably have to finish fine tuning my expertise.  She did manage to get my bluetooth telephone capability activated last night.  A few months ago she bought a new car with all these enhancements and unlike me she's not technologically obtuse.

Gazing and Daydreaming

Houston is a beautiful city.  Houston is an ugly city.  I love the prettiness and choose to overlook the uncontrolled desolation right next to the beauty.  Several weeks in the Texas Medical Center have served to reinforce the diversity of views.  Driving down tree lined streets in the summer, walking on paths with lush blooming bushes, topping a rise in the freeway for a breathtaking view of downtown; all make me smile.  Just a block on either side of that same freeway, one can view boarded windows on ramshackle houses, overgrown weeded yards and stacks of trash on lawns.  Drive another block or two and again the landscape is neatly manicured, homes are well maintained and amenities abound.

From the windows in the Outpatient Center Tower I've enjoyed views at many times of day. The quiet cityscape differs greatly at this height from the bustling streets below. I've spent many days waiting in this area while Ol' Abner has a procedure or waiting with him to see the medical professionals.  What better place to sit and enjoy the beauty of this city! 

Daisy is Driving

Driving in traffic, driving long distances, driving in inclement weather, driving with a carload of noisy kids has never bothered me much.  I like to drive and I love to travel the "roads less traveled" or any road I haven't traveled before.  The spontaneous turn on a never noticed road fills me with delicious anticipation. That said, I'm tired of driving. There is something to be said for always having a designated driver if I choose to take the path of imbibing.  Ol' Abner gave up alcohol many years ago when the consequences of diabetes took all the joy out of that little buzz. He took over the "designated driver" role then.  I love having the ability to enjoy the views as we cruise the countryside, sometimes demanding a stop for a better look at the scene through a camera lens. It's been just under a month since he received his fresh new lung. He's breathing well and so far has suffered few of the predicted complications. It's not surprising, he is always a very compliant patient. Driving is not an option for 8-10 weeks post transplant. That means Daisy Mae will continue to chauffeur him about the town.  I'm ready for someone to drive Daisy around and about so I can just gaze at the views of the city!

Rain!

I'm not much of a rainy day lover.  If I have to get out in rain, I tend to shiver and dread. Today, not so much.  I ventured out to the grocery store this morning with my umbrella raised to keep the raindrops off my head.  I purchased a few days supply of nutrition, and of course, a few treats.  As I returned I texted Daughter and she came out to the car to help me unload. Luckily the rain had slowed so we weren't drenched bringing in my purchases.  Yes, the Texas drought has given me a different outlook about water falling from the sky.  It is welcome and celebrated.  Still, my favorite thing to do in rainy weather is curl up with a good book.  I have several loaded on my kindle right now.  One is about two thirds finished and I have a good mystery almost finished. An inspirational insight is coming through as I read a delightful biography.  I think I'll indulge in finishing the mystery from under a blanket.

Fresh is the Best

I love to cook with fresh ingredients when I have them.  Daughter In Law filled pots with rosemary, basil, parsley, cilantro, and mint.  Two larger pots were filled with strawberry and tomato plants.  I have used all of the herbs at least once, the rosemary and mint getting daily use.  All except the cilantro are growing well, and this morning we have a lovely red ripe strawberry.  Only one has shown so far and I am anxiously circling,. trying to decide on the perfect time to pluck it off.  

What would you do with this beauty?

It's Simple, he said!

Things that need to be put together and snapped into place always mystify me.  What is it about clockwise vs counter clockwise that usually comes off my hands backwards?  Ol' Abner does these maneuvers without even thinking and I stand by, stumped.  A wonderful bagless vacuum cleaner with a washable filter is the answer to cleanliness, IF one can reassemble it and make it work again.  I used it yesterday morning and it pulled a large volume of dirt from the rugs. The last time it was used, he disassembled it,  I washed the filter and he put it all back together when I wasn't looking.  That's our usual process!  I didn't bring the instruction booklet for this contraption with me, in fact, I'm not sure I've even seen it.  Meanwhile, the rugs are clean and the blinds need a quick once over with the same gadget...if I can only get it back together!

Here's the Good Dirt!

Daisy Mae's a happy momma this morning!  I awoke to scratching on the tiny patio.  What a neat surprise DIL was sitting on the cold concrete in her jammies working over my new flower pots to prepare for planting.  Last night she and Son were sent to our local home improvement store to buy A/C filters and they returned laden with plants, soil and flower pots.  

A Strawberry and a Tomato

I sat outside and watched her plant a number of herbal offerings, and lament that they decided to forego the purchase of a tiny lemon tree.  Perhaps, I'll rectify that later this week.

Yes! I like this view!

It's feeling a little more like home.  I don't think Ol' Abner will be particularly impressed.  Maybe I'll see what Lulu thinks!

And the Green Grass Grows

Today in the big city near the coast, we worry not about yard and lawn work, opting instead to rent a living space with all that maintenance provided.  In the summer heat, I'm sure we will be grateful for those workers mowing and trimming and planting pretties.  Today I mourn the lost chance to be making things bloom myself.  I'm thinking of starting a little herb garden out on the tiny patio.  When the urge to cook hits, those will come in handy.  I may have to find some citrus mulch though to discourage critters from taking advantage of soft rich soil.  That will probably be the extent of possible horticulture events for me.

This morning, our neighbor texted two photos from the back side of the playhouse.  The grass has come in beautifully and created a verdant carpet behind the rocks. Oh yes, we do have green grass growing...I'm counting on my friends to watch it!

Coffee City

Today I enjoyed my morning coffee at Dancing Girl's house.  It's always a special pleasure to sip the brew in one of her collection of oversized Starbucks mugs.  The city named along with it's skyline view has evolved on these lovely cups through several variations. The simple originals are my favorites. My mood was set when I selected this view!.

San Diego Sunshine was the start for my day!

Music for some ears, Noise to others!

Our oldest grand daughter has been driving for some time now.  Her little hand-me-down SUV was outfitted with new tires, brakes and cleared for safety long before she began the process of learning to drive it.  Equipped with the original radio in it's non-working state, the vehicle has provided a silent ride to date.  She hasn't complained, but did check into the cost of repairing the accessory. She opted to purchase gasoline instead, a lot of gasoline.  Balancing the cost to repair the am/fm radio with cd player vs an after market installation of one with bluetooth capabilities as well as compatibility with her music player and phone, it required little thought.

Ol' Abner had searched for a couple of weeks, finding acceptable radios in places where the installation kit and other tools to make it fit and play properly seemed elusive.  It was our mission today to find the entire set of equipment.  Grand daughter's birthday is later this week and we were out of time.  He is distraught because he will be unable to go install it himself, but found a workable alternative with a little help from son-in-law.  

The package is on it's way and she should be able to enjoy her tunes as she rides, and talk on her phone hands-free.  It was Son's birthday today, and no package is headed it's way to him.  We did have a nice phone conversation with him, but I regret that not even a card was mailed. We'll have to make that one up to him!

One Fine Dog!

She posed just for us!

Our dog is difficult when it comes to photos.  When I hold up a camera or a phone, she either turns away or lays back her ears making her face look strange.  She is staying at Son and Daughter-In-Law's home for now and we are missing her terribly.  Yesterday, Son sat down in his chair and asked her if she wanted to let Dad and Mom see her.  She actually posed for him, and this was the result.

Remembering the Beauty!

 It seems like it was years ago when I visited the mountains of Costa Rica!  Though it has been just over a month, the memories of the beautiful sights and special people are still so fresh.  I loved the lush landscapes and singing birds.  The flowers were abundant and colorful.  I will hold these views in my minds forever.

Backyard Adventures

It was quite a show yesterday.  The wasp nest in the fence intimidated the humans in J-Cuz's backyard.  Since she is highly allergic to stings from such varmints, she brought out the long range spray can.  Ol' Abner probably fears wasps more than any other natural hazard, and I don't know if J-Don has a fear of anything.  I opted to watch from behind the breakfast room window where I could properly comfort two furry creatures through the spectacle.

There's a wasp nest on the fence post!

J-Don thinks these two might be
dangerous with that volatile stuff!

OK! Looks like they all died
a quick and decisive death!

When the fierce flying threat had been obliterated, the pups and I strolled outside to declare the backyard safe for play again.  Job well done folks!

A Soldier's Story

This morning I read a touching memoir from Dancing Girl's father, written by her son.  She tells me her father never wanted to talk about his experiences in World War II.  Family members had mentioned that he lied about his age in order to join the army after the Pearl Harbor attack.  She knew he was a member of the "Fighting 69th" only because her parents had attended some of the reunions a few years ago.  He finally talked to his oldest grandson a few months ago when they both visited my friend's home in Lago Vista.  

He talked of riding on a train in the cold German winter, the train stopping, and his realization that the engine was no longer attached to the "sitting duck" rail cars.  He referred to himself as a cold, eighteen year old kid, and I have to wonder if that was a conscious oversight.  Born in 1926, he would not have been eighteen until the war was almost over. He described  these events as some of the first experiences of his military life. 

Today, at sixteen, a youth would not be allowed to join active duty military...and few would want to take that action!

Dog Days

Today is the day!  As soon as an overnight packet arrives from the transplant co-ordinator, we will back out of the driveway and begin the journey to the future.  Last night we established the dog in her new home at son's house.  Daughter in law listened intently as we instructed her in the use of medication for said animal.  We changed veterinarians a couple of weeks ago, and the new one is very close to their house.  Leaving our beloved pet is probably the most difficult part of this transition.  She is now eleven and a half years old, and like us, her age is showing.  With support of family and friends, we will weather this storm and return stronger!

No Play for the Playhouse...Yet!

It's been a wild few months of spring, but the bluebonnets are out and I am a reaffirmed Texan. Still too cool to plant summer blooming flowers, I postponed filling the flower beds held in place by retaining walls of natural stone in front of the playhouse.  I vowed to plant my blooms as soon as I returned from Central America mid-March.  

Instead I returned in time to spend another week in the medical center as Ol' Abner was tested, poked, prodded and aggravated.  The result was acceptance into the frightening world of those awaiting an organ transplant.  We received the call on April Fool's day, but no jokes were in order.  

The playhouse is finished and ready.  Shelving has been installed and most of Ol' Abner's toys have found their new home quite accommodating.  He won't have a chance to play for a few more months though.  

It's already filled with toys!

We still have space in the yard
 for planting or swimming...

We have great neighbors and son has promised to come get some of the toys and play with them from time to time. Our friends will keep a close eye on the homeplace and he is very anxious to return sans oxygen.  Some of his "dirty jobs" must be relegated to history.  His immune system will be repressed to prevent rejection of his new lung.  I guess I'll just have to learn to enjoy the "dirty jobs"!

Don't sit down!

What appeared to be a quiet weekend is suddenly buzzing.  Daughter In Law and a friend are in Salado for a spa/shopping weekend, Son is riding a treacherous winding road called Three Sisters, and our plan was to relax and prepare for the busy week to come.

Dancing Girl texted yesterday that they were on their way to the lake.  We had a leisurely dinner with them last night and talked about a possible golf outing this morning.  As we were pulling into the driveway last night, a friend called to see if Ol' Abner would bring his big trailer to haul some brush away for him.  Of course he agreed to leave here around eight this morning to help.

Workers were swarming beside the playhouse this morning by 7:30.  Ol' Abner assured me they were just here to clear debris and pick up a check so concrete could be poured on Monday. Wrong!  The first load of concrete arrived about 8:05 just after he called his friend to tell him he would be slightly delayed for the brush haul.

The golf pro called and said he had some time to work on my wild golf swing this morning as we wait on the next load to be poured on the new driveway.  Ol' Abner thinks he needs some breakfast.  That's a pretty good idea.

Unwillingly Awake

I am not one to remain in bed when sleep has left me.  With a 2:30AM clock face staring at me , the best option seemed to be arise (not necessarily shine) for awhile.  A warm cup of herbal tea and a great book will almost always have me ready to nod off within minutes. After re-reading the pages of my latest thriller several times, I realized concentration was beyond me. A game of sudoku quickly stumped me, my tea cup is empty and I've switched to ice water.  Sleep still has not beckoned.  

A few minutes of quiet meditation, perhaps a bit of venting here, and I will again have a clear mind for blissful sleep.  Health issues seldom plague me, but family members suffer constant challenges.  With Pappy here, aging is constantly on my mind.  Ol' Abner fights to accomplish physical labor with the ever present oxygen bottle.  Daughter is dealing with aggressive diagnostic testing to determine the source of some strange symptoms.  Younger grand daughter is limiting some of her skating jumps due to ankle pain of questionable etiology.  A visit with my maker has brought some peace.

Now, if I can just figure out why my golf swing was so off yesterday, I might return to dreamland.

Spreading Out

Who knew an 8X10 storage shed could hold so many tools and treasures?  Worse yet, what does one find to fill two of them?  Ol' Abner's grand plan has changed many times in the last year and we are now in the process of moving things into the new playhouse.  It was designed to have two large doors positioned so that vehicles could be driven straight through.  That plan formed due to recognition that I do not drive backward with a trailer attached.  The driveway on the street behind was poured several weeks ago and it provides nice access...a block from the house!

I am really tired of this view!

The driveway from the front side awaits the forms and concrete to make the new garage fully accessible per our plan.  As you can see, this end is several feet above the yard surface so a fairly steep incline will be necessary.  Furthermore, many loads of fill will be required.  We have begun our own version of a landfill in front of the door.  Back to my original statement. Two storage sheds are exactly where the right side of the driveway must be.  All of the lawn tools, hardware and saws have been hauled by hand to the walk-in door on the side of the building or dragged up over the pile of landfill to drop in the portal.  I am sore and exhausted and Ol' Abner can barely breathe.  Tomorrow, we turn the process back over to the men with heavy equipment. The sheds will be moved and the hammering and dumping of dirt will commence. By the way, dirt is NOT cheap!  

Dampened Spirits

The monthly meeting of the Women's Golf Association was held this morning at the golf club. Due to cold drizzle, the scheduled round of golf was changed to card games and chatter.  I stayed for the meeting and a few minutes of visiting, then left to run a few errands.  The names are beginning to match the faces now, and I do look forward to knowing several of these women better.  A number of golf outings are on the schedule for the upcoming year and I can hardly wait to test my skill on some other golf courses. Certainly, I have not mastered the two in our neighborhood, though fresh vistas are very appealing.  It's time the well known Texas sunshine shows it's face and warms the air to make golf more pleasant.  I'm ready for a play outside kind of day!

GO!

In the last few months I have often commented that my new favorite word might  be "Go". Ol' Abner would grimace and roll his eyes.  His mantra for now seems to be "stay".  I understand. He's spent many months and many more dollars getting his playhouse built. Why wouldn't he want to stay and play awhile?  On the other hand, new sights intrigue me and my wanderlust is bubbling over again.  I do have a couple of trips planned this year, but nothing on the scale of my dreams.  

This morning, our pastor's sermon introduced the new goals for the church body.  Called G3, it involves Grow (I don't think he means our body size), Give (that's always part of the religious practice). Go!  I am on board.  As soon as I can stow away my Christmas decorations, I can start packing my bags for another trip.  Grow, Give, Go.  

Pigskin

It is officially the end of the "holiday season" and the beginning of a brand new year.  Or maybe it really is the upswing in anticipation of the Super Bowl!  I suppose everyone loves a reason for a Sunday afternoon party with lots of indulgent snacks.  Oh wait, isn't that what we are doing this afternoon.  After weeks of feasting, we brought in the new year right on time.  Earlier in the evening we enjoyed rib-eye steaks with all the side dishes we love.  We watched a Texas A&M team come back to beat Duke in the second half and for once I was pleased with that outcome. After all, our guests had sent two of their offspring to that illustrious institution. We felt obligated to cheer the team into victory since those same children are enjoying the benefits of that stellar education from the Bahamas and the Pacific northwest.  I found it easy to be thrilled for them since my Red Raiders had soundly trounced Arizona State in their bowl game on the previous evening.  Oh yes, the holiday season is over, but football is NOT!  I can smell the ham from here and the blackeyed peas are almost ready.  We must start this year right!