Ten Things Tuesday

1. All in all, it was a great Memorial Day weekend.  I hope yours was, too.
2. Margaret picked me up Saturday to go back to her place.
3. Sunday was full.  Lunch with Jean and friends at the Gerst House in Nashville.  Visiting with Don and Flo Jean at their place in the afternoon.
4. The birthday party for Beth was a big success and lots of fun.  There were almost 50 people there - family and friends to help.  It was very informal, inside and out, good food and conversation. Margaret and I got back to her house about 10:30.
5. Margaret brought me home Monday morning.  She spent a while here, moving hanging stuff around, adding new stuff (Boston ferns, geraniums, hibiscus plants).  I hope I can keep everything alive, and that we don't have a scorching hot, dry summer like we did last year.
6. I slept until about 7:30 this morning - it was lovely.
7. Missy called this morning, and I met Renna and her for coffee.  So great to spend even a few minutes with an old friend.
8. On my way home, I decided to drive by our house.  I was surprised to see that it was for sale.  I wonder why the folks decided to move after only being there for a little over a year.
9. Missed duplicate last night, but played bridge here tonight.
10. Nothing much going on the rest of the week.

Finally!

Saw my eye doctor.

No new problems and the old

Ones seem to be stable.

Finally!!!

Well, S**t!

Remember last Saturday, when my knee gave this loud pop when I got off the bus for the train ride last Saturday.  I've been wearing a brace and using my cane since then, taking lots of acetaminophen.  I finally saw the orthopedist this morning and had new x-rays.

Well, the knee replacement is fine - but my kneecap is cracked.  And, he says the "good" knee is really unstable now.  He wants me to continue wearing the knee brace, and use the walker (instead of the cane) until he sees me in 3 weeks.  He might inject the knee then.

Oh joy, complete!

Wildlife report

My bluebirds have returned, and I've started putting mealy worms out again.  The birds are voracious, and empty the small feeder twice a day.  Many of the families of various birds have fledged, and the babies are out and fumbling around.  The bluebirds have three babies - almost as big as the parents.  They come and sit around the feeder, waiting for a parent to pick up a morsel and put it in those gaping mouths - first one baby, then another.  A family of finches are hitting the other feeders.  One parent will be out with three babies following them from one perch to another, screeching to be fed.  It's quite a show.

And then there are the squirrels.  They obviously have babies, too.  I have seen three (or maybe four) at one time.  One will get up on the deck railing, and check to see if I'm watching.  If I holler at him, he'll jump to the tree, go to the ground, and then come up the outside edge of the deck and peek over to see if I'm watching.  I'll start to get up, and he'll run off again.  Then he gets on the steps and peeks up over the floor of the deck.  When I get up, he'll run off again, but not very far.  If I get the hose, and spray, they'll take off running up the sidewalk, out of sight.  Until the next time.  Once this evening, I actually got one or two of them with the hose - and they didn't come back.  Until tomorrow.  At least they're making me get some exercise.

Some things work, some things not so much

I had several things I wanted to do before lunch today. Not 100% accomplished.  First I had planned to take the last of John's ashes to Ignis Glass - a local glass blowing craftsman - to get them incorporated into some glass balls.  I knew where the shop is located downtown, so I had no problem finding the place.  But there was no parking anywhere nearby.  I drove around the block a couple of times, but nothing opened up.  I guess I'll try another time.  That one didn't work.

My mission was accomplished at the post office.  Next to Walmart. It was sprinkling rain by then, but when I pulled up into a handicapped space, there was a riding cart parked right next to the space.  How lucky is that?  Not too much - I picked up all but one of my items in the personal items section, then the cart's battery died.  So off I go back to the entrance, hoping there is another cart there.  Success!  The rest of the WM trip was without incident, and I even found most of what was on my list.  Back to the car, loading the stuff in, and headed home.

By the time I got home, my knee was really hurting.  I took just the refrigerator items in, planning to pick up the rest later.  By the time I got to my door, the knee brace had slithered down round my ankle (so attractive).  Oh, well....

Lunch; pick up most of the other stuff from the car.  In the meantime, I've found out that my friend, Joyce, has had a brain bleed and is in the MICU for continued treatment and observation. And, since my knee still hurts, and is clicking each time I take a step, I called the doc and have an appointment to see him on Thursday.  And you now know more about my life than you even wanted to know.
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But this all is pretty trivial when they're killing children in Manchester with shrapnel bombs.

Monday musings

My knee is still pretty sore, but better.  I've been wearing my knee brace, and that has definitely helped.  I talked to the physical therapist here, and she said I might have popped some scar tissue loose and that would hurt for a few days.  She recommended ice, so I'm doing that, too.
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My friend, Joyce, had a car accident this morning.  She has a possible head injury and has been transported to the big hospital downtown.  She's had some TIAs in the past, and I wonder if something like that had played a part.  We're all very worried about her.
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Wildlife report:  Some bluebirds are back today, after having not been seen for a week.  They're flying like maybe they're new fledglings.  The squirrels are making me crazy.  There are two of them now - and I think they are this year's babies.  They challenge me - get up on the railing, and look to see if I'm watching.  I can shout at them, and they jump to the nearest tree, but then keep watch.  If I get up and get the hose, they run far away, but then are back in a few minutes. Eventually they'll head off, only to return several hours later.
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I knocked my favorite coffee cup in the sink and broke a chunk out of the lip.  I have another one of Jean's to use, but  I know she won't make me another one like it.  8`^(
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Duplicate tonight - in the low middle, as usual.  I did play one hand - bid 3, made 7.  It was only a middle board, but I had such fun playing it.

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing: The Q & A Questions

1. where is your significant other? Sadly, no longer with me.
2. your favorite thing? Time with family and friends.
3. your dream last night? I frequently dream, but almost never remember them.
4. your goal? To continue with reasonable health for a few more years.
5. your hobby? Knitting, computer puzzles.
6. where do you want to be in 6 years? Alive and mentally alert.
7. where were you last night? Right here at home.
8. what you're not? Physically active.
9. one of your wish list items? See #6.
10. your pet? None, and don't want one.
11. missing someone? John, of course.
12. your car? 2006 Nissan Altima
13. something you're not wearing? Winter clothes.
14. love someone? My family.
15. when is the last time you laughed? Yesterday.
16. last time you cried? Last Monday when I watched the previous week's NCIS (amazing they can still make me cry, after all this time).
17. favorite pasttime? Knitting, computer puzzles.
18. are you a hater or a lover? Lover.  Hating wastes too much time and energy.
19. any vices? Sloth, eating.
20. favorite questions blog other than Sunday Stealing? None.

My friend, Jamie, posted this on FB under the picture of us Saturday when we put some of John's ashes under the tulip poplar tree at the Sculpture Fields, near the "red pointy sculpture".  It was such a great memorial to John, I wanted to share it here.

“Yeah, the red, pointy sculpture close to the REALLY tall Tulip Poplar. The one with rough bark but strong branches that reach out and shelter everybody; and houses birds that will poop on you if you say something stupid while standing under it."

Canoe Branch

In about 1972, John and I bought a piece of land at Canoe Branch Landing in Castalian Springs, TN.  It was on a creek that ran into the Cumberland River at an area called Seven Mile Bluff.  We designed and built a small cabin (about 12 x 20').  When I say built, I mean that literally.  We had professionals pour the footings for the concrete block piers and we had the septic tank professionally installed.  Other than that, we did it all.  I don't remember how long it took - probably a year or more.  We used raw oak boards.  Did you know fresh-cut oak lumber smells like sour milk?  Or that when it dries, it gets so hard that you have to drill holes in it to get nails in it?  We didn't know these things, but we certainly learned.

The first floor was one big room, with a kitchen and bathroom at one end.  We found hanging globe light fixtures that had come out of an old school in Sumner County.  The upstairs was reached by pull-down attic stairs.  We had two rooms upstairs - just for sleeping.  The ceiling was sloped - 8' on the creek side, 4' on the road side - so no beds, just mattresses.

John was a supervisor at duPont at the time and was not happy with his job.  He got a lot of therapy from all the hammering and manual labor.  He said every nail had somebody's name on it.  But the work got done, with our working only on weekends.

We just used the cabin on weekends, but even planted a large garden a couple of years.  The girls learned to drive John's old straight-shift 1959 Chevrolet around the circle at the end of the road. In 1979, the rehearsal dinner for Margaret and Bobby's wedding was there.

In about 1982 or so, Pink had moved to Hendersonville, the girls were gone, and we had started traveling some.  And our weekends at the cabin all but stopped.  It was a traumatic decision, but we decided to sell.  As I remember, a young Metro Nashville policeman bought it.  We never went back, and subsequently moved to Chattanooga in 1986.

I recent read an article about Indian Mounds in Castalian Springs, and it brought back memories about the cabin.  I skyped with Jean today and she told me that she had gone to find the cabin a few days ago.  She found it without difficulty and talked to another property owner -a man who is the son of the man we bought the property from. He told her that it's owned by a retired policeman, so it must be the same family.  She says it's obviously well loved and well taken care of. She'll take me up there the next time I go to Hendersonville.

And I've had a lovely evening wallowing in nostalgia.

Elene Meyer Davis was born in Yoakum, Texas on the 7th of October 1924, and died on the 7th of June 2016, of complications due to congestive heart failure and the 2016 Presidential campaign.

From <http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Elene+Meyer-Davis&lc=2220&pid=180277948&mid=6963730>

Elene Meyer Davis was born in Yoakum, Texas on the 7th of October 1924, and died on the 7th of June 2016, of complications due to congestive heart failure and the 2016 Presidential campaign.

From <http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Elene+Meyer-Davis&lc=2220&pid=180277948&mid=6963730>

The Ironman comes in various "strengths" of contests (re length, etc.).  It's pretty much a triathlon - swimming, cycling, and running.  There are going to be four different Ironman contests here this year - the organizers love Chattanooga.  And it's quite a challenge - with our mountains for difficulty in the cycling and running - and a flowing river for the swimming.  It turns out I know one of the major competitors in one of the older divisions.  I just found out my friend Vicki's son, who is in his mid40s (I think), is not only competing, but has been picked to be on the US team in a Switzerland competition later this year.

The train ride was fine this morning.  Not very long - just a few miles, and not particularly scenic - mostly through a wooded area, but an old historic track with bridges and a tunnel.  We were home in time for a late lunch.  It was a good outing.  Except something popped in my new knee as I was getting off our bus, and it has been really sore since then.  I don't think anything is really wrong with it, but I'll probably stay in for the rest of the day and baby it.

Clarification and excursion

The Ironman comes in various "strengths" of contests (re length, etc.).  It's pretty much a triathlon - swimming, cycling, and running.  There are going to be four different Ironman contests here this year - the organizers love Chattanooga.  And it's quite a challenge - with our mountains for difficulty in the cycling and running - and a flowing river for the swimming.  It turns out I know one of the major competitors in one of the older divisions.  I just found out my friend Vicki's son, who is in his mid40s (I think), is not only competing, but has been picked to be on the US team in a Switzerland competition later this year. Go Allen! 

The train ride this morning was nice.  Not very long - just a few miles, and not particularly scenic - mostly through a wooded area, but on an old historic track with bridges and a tunnel.  And the outing itself was fun. We were home in time for a late lunch.  A good time was had by all.  Except something popped in my new knee as I was getting off our bus, and it has been really sore since then.  I don't think anything is really wrong with it, but I decided to stay home the rest of the day, take pain meds, and baby it.

Duplicate, etc.

Just swimming, coffee, and duplicate today.  I never do well at duplicate with the Friday partner - and we didn't have any of the good hands, either.  Oh, well - no points, but at least we finished in the middle.

I'm going on one of the Terrace trips tomorrow morning - a local train ride.  (After all this is the home of the Chattanooga Choo Choo!)  John and I had done this when we first moved here and the grands were little - about 25 years ago, so it'll be fun to do again.  Locally, there's an Iron Man competition (whatever THAT is) here this weekend, and totally screw up downtown traffic.  We're supposed to have nice hot weather tomorrow, but rain all day Sunday.

Thursday Three

1. Even though I had a wonderful mani/pedi yesterday, the day was mostly blah.  All my artificial parts were sore and creaky.
2. Somewhat better today.  I managed to go to Silver Sneakers and to play some bridge this evening.
3. Totally wasted the rest of the day.

Sunday Stealing (on Tuesday)

 Sunday Stealing: The Getting to Know You Questions

1. What is your occupation right now? How long have you been there? Retired - since about 1986.

2. Favorite rock band. Ever. I'm not a rock fan.

3. What are you listening to right now? TV

4. Last person you spoke to on the phone. What was it about? Nancy at the front desk, telling me that I had a package to pick up.

5. How old are you today? Or make up a question. This one bites. I was 81 in March.

6. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV? I'm not a sports fan.

7. What is your favorite drink? Water and coffee.

8. Have you ever dyed your hair? Twice.  Years ago, I decided I wanted to be a redhead.  I kept it for a couple of weeks, but dyed it back to natural - because I was always surprised when I looked in the mirror.  Last summer at the beach, I got Jean to put a temporary purple color on my hair.  And I may do it again this year.

9. Favorite food? Anything but liver, coconut, peanut butter, or hazelnut.

10. What is the last movie you watched? The last movie I saw in a theater was a special showing of The King and I last year.

11. Favorite day of the year? Tomorrow.

12. How do you vent anger? I rarely get that angry.  When I used to do so, I would usually throw something.  But then it was over and done with.

13. What was your favorite toy as a child? Nothing particular.  I liked to play jacks, and cut out paper dolls and make clothes for them.

14. Living arrangements? (Of course your pets count. Geez!) Just me - in an independent living apartment in a retirement complex.

15. What was the last thing that you cried about? Last week's episode of NCIS, which I recorded and watched this afternoon.

16. Who is the friend you have had the longest? Betty Lou (from elementary school, but I communicate with her only infrequently); Anne (from 10th grade), Beth (from 1962), and Flo Jean (from 1967) - all of whom I'm in touch with and see fairly often.

17. What did you do last night? Played duplicate, then slept like a rock.

18. What are you most afraid of? Not really "afraid of", but hate the idea of getting dementia.

19. In how many areas of your country have you lived? What's your favorite? I was born in St. Louis; moved to Houston in 1944; to Nashville/Hendersonville in 1962; to Chattanooga in 1986. I'm happy in Tennessee, but would be okay anywhere.

20. What is your favorite flower? (Ugh. Quite the note to go out on. But hell, we steal the questions. I guess you get what you pay for.) Something that somebody else grows.

That was the week that was - part 2

Corrections:  Kate and Wayne, Sarah and Carson didn't arrive until Thursday.
Thursday: Margaret left early to meet Sarah at the Louisville Slugger Museum in Louisville.  Randy went to Lexington to pick up Paul and Katherine.  Kate and Wayne went through Frankfort and saw the Kentucky Vietnam Veterans' Memorial on their way. Andy and Erica came in each day from Lexington, but didn't stay overnight.  There was a lot of talking and hugging and lying and knitting going on.  And the games came out - Mexican Train primarily.  I think tonight was the carry-out Chinese night for dinner.
Friday: Today it rained all day - hard. Various plans (including Shaker Village) were scrapped and, again, games were played and knitting was done.  Eventually some of the group decided to head out to one of the distilleries for a tour - rain be damned!  They enjoyed the trip and learned a lot about bourbon-making (and tasting).
Saturday: Saturday dawned bright and beautiful.  This is a lovely area of Kentucky, with green rolling hills.  Everything was clean and sparkling this morning. Those going on the private distillery tour were picked up by their bus and driver about 8:30. They were joined by newcomers, Joe and Haley (Katherine's brother and S/O)  Sue, Jean, Andy, and I went to Shaker Village and got tickets for the boat trip on the Kentucky River.  It was a very pleasant afternoon, going through a completely undeveloped, uninhabited stretch of the river.  The river was rising because of the heavy rain the day before, but it was still a good trip.  We picked up a large order of chicken strips on the way home, to supplement the left-over Chinese and pizza for supper.  One of the distilleries they went to was Maker's Mark.  When they bought bottles, they got to dip their own bottle into the red wax and have the name they wanted engraved on the bottles.  So there were a few purchases at that stop.  The evening ended with more Mexican Train and more hilarity.
Sunday: Happy Mother's Day to all!  Fairly quickly each of us headed home.  Margaret and Jesse brought me back home - a lovely drive down US 127 and TN 111.  A great time was had by all - especially this particular mother. 

The Week That Was

Sunday:  Sue picked me up and we drove to Margaret's house.
Monday: We three headed to Nashville, and met up with Jean at a stitchery shop that was going out of business.  That cost a few $$$.  We had lunch at a Vietnamese place, took Jean home, and then headed for Beth's house.  We visited, then changed clothes.  The evening event was a dinner to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the League of Women Voters chapter in Hendersonville, and to honor the founding members.  I was one of those lucky women.  There were seven of us (out of 67) that were found and/or were able to attend.  It made for a special time  to see that this great group continues, and continues to draw new young women. We returned to Beth's and visited more with her.
Tuesday: A visiting day.  I played bridge with Flo Jean and two gals I knew from "back then".  Sue and Margaret drove around Hendersonville, looking for landmarks they remembered from their days growing up there, and checking out all the changes.  Beth, Lisa, and Kimberly fixed a great dinner for us, and there was much laughter, loudness, and reminiscences.
Wednesday: We headed off to Harrodsburg, KY.  Sue had found us a great house to rent for a few days.  The plan was to visit, tell lies, tourist in the area, and (for some) take a tour on the Bourbon Trail. Over the course of the afternoon, Wayne and Kate, Randy, Paul and Katherine, Andy and Erica, and Jesse arrived. We went out to pick up Chinese carry-out, and we talked until bedtime.

Part two tomorrow

Apologies

I'm sorry I've been gone for a while.  I've been out of town since last Sunday, and it's been busy.  We've been in Prairie Plains, Hendersonville TN, and Harrodsburg KY.  There's been lots of friends and family and various "doings".  I'll be back home Sunday night, and I'll get caught up when I get home.

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing: The Chicago Crazy Questions

1) What was your dream growing up? I don't remember anything specifically.

2) What talent do you wish you had? I can't think of any talent I'd like to have - maybe to write my own knitting patterns.

3) If I bought you a drink what would it be? Coffee

4) What was the last book you read? A book by Bill Bryson about walking through small towns in Britain.

5) Worst Habit? Sloth.

6) If you saw me walking down the street would you offer me a ride? If I knew you, of course.

7) What is your favorite sport? To play - none; to watch - maybe a little women's basketball.

8) What would you do if you were stuck in an elevator with me? Wait for rescue.

9) Worst thing to ever happen to you? John's death.

10) Tell me one weird fact about you. I'm just generally weird.

11) What if I showed up at your house unexpectedly? Depends - probably ask you in and offer you a cup of coffee - assuming I wasn't on the way out the door.

12) If you could change one thing about how you look, what would it be? My weight.

13) Would you be my crime partner or my conscience? Probably your conscience.

14) Ever been arrested? Only traffic tickets.

15) If you won $10,000 today, what would you do with it? Travel.

16) Favorite thing to do in your spare time? I'm retired - all my time is "spare".

17) Biggest pet peeve? Rudeness, intolerance, bad grammar.

18) In one word, how would you describe yourself? Comfortable.

19) Do you believe in/appreciate romance? Sure - although it's probably over-rated.

Gray day?

A very gray day.

Two inches of rain.  Must be

Perfect to play bridge.

The new management

This afternoon, we had the residents' meeting with staff.  Things seem to be going well around here.  The new management is really working to improve maintenance and amenities around the building.  And the residents are appreciative.  There are very few complaints any more at these meetings - just questions and comments.  Any problems seem to be being addressed quickly.  And that's really nice to  have happening. We hope it continues.

Ten Things Tuesday

Ten questions:

QUESTION 1: HOW TALL ARE YOU? 5ft 5in (but I used to be 5' 7 1/2")

QUESTION 2: WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU BOUGHT? Coffee and bagel yesterday morning.

QUESTION 3: WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST BLOG-RELATED PET PEEVE? Not coming up with anything to write about.

QUESTION 4: WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST NON-BLOG RELATED PET PEEVE? Generally bad grammar, i.e., the "unnecessary 'at'" (as in "where are you at?", as opposed to "where are you").  Right now, it tends to be the squirrel getting into the bird feeders.

QUESTION 5: WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? I did some general filing work at a local hospital.

QUESTION 6: IF YOU COULD RETURN TO ONE PLACE YOU HAVE ALREADY TRAVELED TO, WHERE WOULD YOU GO? The Four Corners area.

QUESTION 7: WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND YOUR FREE TIME WHEN YOU’RE ALONE? Computer/TV/knitting.

QUESTION 8: WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE JUNK FOOD? Ice cream.

QUESTION 9: WHAT WERE YOU IN HIGH SCHOOL: PROM QUEEN, NERD, CHEERLEADER, JOCK, VALEDICTORIAN, BAND GEEK, LONER, ARTIST, PREP? Student geek.

QUESTION 10: IF YOU COULD ONLY DRINK ONE BEVERAGE (BESIDES WATER) FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Coffee.

Miscellaneous Monday

• The lap pool was at 79 degrees again this morning, so we were still in the therapy (warmer) pool for class.
• Before 10 a.m., we have 2.5" of rain.
• The drought is officially over.
• Bright sunshine and wind all afternoon.
• The squirrel has been testing me only a couple times in the morning and in the afternoon.
• There is now officially a chipmunk in residence.
• We came in last at duplicate tonight.