October 31, 2014. Harper, Texas. Immigration.

The topic is controversial. Everyone agrees that the border should be protected. No one knows what to do with the millions of illegals who have lived and worked in the US for many years. But everyone knows someone who deserves the opportunity to be a legal resident. I certainly do. For the past year, our property at the lake is being tended to by a man who speaks little English. Without being called, he drives by and trims the bushes both front and back. He is energetic and enthusiastic and hard working. David found him after the last two companies Ken and I had hired failed to show up. They were too busy. David responded to a flyer left at the house. Ken can no longer trim or cut and David has little time so this man was a blessing to all of us. We all suspect he is not a legal resident but we have not asked. But we certainly want this man to get his papers and he would be a model citizen. He works hard. His wife works hard. His children are all born here. This business of the illegal immigration is complicated.

October 30. 2014. Harper, Texas. Fredericksburg Memorial Hospital.

The volunteers greet you with a big smile. After you register, which is done immediately, the volunteers walk with you to your first appointment, chatting all the way. When they leave you, they take your arm and give you a squeeze and wish you well. Of course, they have already given your paperwork to the working folks. This introduction is a forecast of what will come. Every person was competent. Every person was careful. And everyone seemed to care very much with my welfare. It was really quite astonishing. Today I arrived at 9:45 and left at noon. During that time I had blood drawn. Then they withdrew 1500 cc's of fluid from my chest, followed by an ekg. The whole procedure surprised me in that I was sitting on the side of a stretcher the whole time, the radiologist telling me what was happening every step of the way. I assumed I would feel better when the fluid had been removed but that was not the case. Evidently my left lung has been deflated so long that it must inflate at it's own time. Now with any luck I will never have that procedure done again, but as I have no idea how I developed this pleural effusion, I will not be able to prevent it happening again. This does not please me. But if you need a procedure, the Fredericksburg Memorial Hospital would be the right place to have it done.

October 29, 2014. Harper, Texas. Loading the Truck.

Watching us would have been like observing the halt and the lame. It took us a long time, but we did it. Fortunately, we both have a good sense of humor. The first thing I said to myself this morning was "Ruth. Do not be a wimp. You can do this". Today we drove to the ranch. Normally we only load everything in the truck when we drive to Mississippi but my procedure tomorrow is supposed to determine what is the matter with me. Presumably, the next step is to fix what is broken, but we do not know what we will face, so I suggested we load up all our stuff. I suggested that we might get stuck at the ranch. We carry a file box and a container of technology along with stuff going to Mississippi. I was not looking forward to loading the truck, especially as I am so short of breath. We took our time. Ken helped me carry the heavy boxes and bit by bit we got the job done. But I will tell you that the picture was not pretty!!

October 28, 2014. Canyon Lake, Texas. A Barber Shop.

Ken was looking like a mad scientist. His hair was sticking straight up in every direction. His new barber in Nova Scotia, Mr. Payzant, left his hair too long on the top so Ken was in need of a haircut. He looked up in the computer to find a barber close by. It seems there are fewer barbers around these days but he found one in Startsville. Yesterday it was closed so this afternoon we tried our luck again. Have you ever seen a lady barber? I never had. And the barber shop was decorated for Halloween. Along with the lady barber there was also a six year old granddaughter, who promptly blew up a balloon for me. The barber was efficient and quick and Ken was soon finished. Outside is a sign saying "under new management". A young man came in while I was waiting for Ken so she must be building up her customer base. I wish her well and hope she stays in business a long time. Ken's new barber is very nice and she is cheap but I wonder if a lady barber will be popular? We are going to find out.

October 27, 2014. Canyon Lake, Texas. Birthday Dinner.

Sarah's birthday has stretched out for 12 days and she has enjoyed every celebration. Last evening was the last event, where the family gathered to dine on hamburgers and salad, followed by two birthday cakes. Of course, we sang Happy Birthday. One cake was fancy, with fruit and cream while the other was plain American cheese cake. All eight of us had a piece of each cakes with enough left over for another meal. Sarah is 17 years old. It has been such fun watching her grow up. Right now, she is ready to take charge of her life. Starting in the summer, they will visit colleges. She does not want to attend college in Texas and she is determined to make the list of school visits be hers. Right now, she told me that she is too busy trying to get good grades to think about school visits. And I could not interest her in studying in Canada. I brought her a set of worry beads from Nova Scotia which she keeps in her backpack. I certainly do not want my wonderful Sarah worrying, even though this is a tough age not to worry. Sarah is 17 and energetic and enthusiastic. As the grandmother, I can say that Sarah is a pleasure to be with. I was delighted to be a part of her birthday celebrations.

October 26, 2014. Canyon Lake, Texas. Pleural Effusion.

Well who knew? Not Ken and not me. The good doctor in Fredericksburg along with the chest Xray decided that I have Pleural Effusion, which means fluid in the chest. We all have a bit but I have a lot. Next week they will perform a Thoracentesis which is a fancy word that means sticking a needle into my chest to withdraw the fluid. Next will be the biopsy of the fluid to try to figure out what on earth is causing the fluid in my chest. Normally, I ignore ill health and take Iboprofen and water until I feel better, but my cough was persisting. And I was short of breath. When I walked upstairs at the Top House I was forced to sit down to catch my breath, so I knew that something was not right. And I was not getting any better. I must be off blood thinner for five days before the procedure can be done, which means late this week. David and Suzanne are installing TV at the lake for us. The last time we were here for an extended time was when I went loopy. They ordered TV for me that time too. David thinks we may be in for a long siege but I hope not. The moral of the story is that you just never know what is just around the corner!!

October 25, 2014. Canyon Lake, Texas. Listening In.

It was perfect. I was sitting on the deck all by myself, enjoying the beautiful evening and the lake, minding my own business, when my neighbor Sharon and a friend came out on their new deck. Ken was inside preparing dinner. He wisely planted a tree 18 years ago that has grown quickly and now totally occludes our deck from their home, so I was hidden from view. Now I could have gotten up and called a hello to them but I stayed quiet as a mouse and listened in on their conversation. It was just like listening into an old fashioned telephone party line, when you could hear but no one knew you were there. The two ladies were discussing interior decorating. It was a fascinating discussion. The husbands were in the house. Sharon and Tim are in the midst of a large outdoor project to add a large deck and a lower level for the hot tub. Sharon was describing the furniture that will come, also the plantings. I think the second lady is the interior designer because she made many suggestions, some of which Sharon approved and some she did not. Sharon said nothing about the unfinished mess in the yard. Soon the men come out and they all four joke about the construction. Tim laughed and proceeded to tell the story of their problem with the permits, which is why the job has not been completed. Their builder told Tim that permits would not be a problem so much construction was done, including installing the hot tub on a large lower deck. But they can not get the plan approved. Tim thinks it is funny. Sharon does not. Our neighbors are very nice people and are excellent neighbors. They take in our trash cans and keep a car in the driveway regularly. And I loved listening into their conversations tonight. Nosy Rosie, that was me tonight.