Just when I was about to go for a walk on Friday, the wind whipped up. It was gusting hard so too dangerous to be out alone walking outside on the roadway covered with trees. The reservoir had waves which is unusual. When we first moved into this house, a set of wind chimes were hanging in the courtyard out front. Unfortunately, the area is protected so the chimes never moved. This year, Ken moved the chimes down by the gazebo so we could hear them. The water side has more wind than the street. Ever since Friday afternoon, those wind chimes have been in continuous action. They sound beautiful.
All day Saturday the wind blew hard. No boats were on the water and no walking for me. And the wind chimes were busy. By evening, the winds were stronger along with thunder and lightning and rain. By the time we went to bed, the wind chimes sounded like an organ. Constant sounds and very loud. I was wondering what the neighbors felt about the chimes. Even with the wind blowing hard, I could clearly hear their lovely sound.
Today, when we arrived at our designated restaurant Anjou with it's wonderful French food, the manager commended us for coming out on a miserable morning. I did not tell him that we were Canadians. Evidently many folks had called to cancel their reservation. The day was not terrible but the rain was still falling but not so much wind. It never crossed our minds to cancel. Molly would have missed eating her fill of mussels.
Tonight, the wind chimes are quiet, the first time since Friday. We dodged some bullets. No tornadoes and no electric outage. Life is good.
Sunday, April 30, 2017
Saturday, April 29, 2017
April 29, 2017. Madison, Mississippi. Carol E.
Carol E. was working for Chevy Chase Savings and Loan, in the department that helped people who were having difficulties with the bank. Adrea was an agent in the office. She came to tell me that I needed to talk to this lady who helped her solve her problem. Andrea was an excellent agent because her attention to detail was just what a manager wanted, but she knew that she was not easy to deal with so when she told me how helpful Carol was in helping, I knew I needed to talk with her. Adrea even asked if she was interested in changing jobs.
As was my custom, I interviewed her even though I had no job. Carol was energetic and enthusiastic in the interview. I liked her. She moved with her 4 children and her husband to Maryland from the islands so the children could attend better schools and more opportunities. Soon I have an opening so she came to work with us. She is still working there now. Her spunk and enthusiasm has always been enormous and helpful to the office as is her attention to detail.
Once upon a time, Carol E was at the doctor for a check up. He told her she had high blood pressure and cholesterol and needed medication. She asked if there was another way and was told that if she exercised and lost 20 pounds she might get her numbers looking better. So she did. She started running and running and running. She has run many marathons. It is her attitude that was always the key. When things went wrong in her life which they did, she just buckled down and plowed along, smiling all the way. She is a good lady and a pleasure to work with for all those years. And she is still at it today. Hats off to Carol E.
As was my custom, I interviewed her even though I had no job. Carol was energetic and enthusiastic in the interview. I liked her. She moved with her 4 children and her husband to Maryland from the islands so the children could attend better schools and more opportunities. Soon I have an opening so she came to work with us. She is still working there now. Her spunk and enthusiasm has always been enormous and helpful to the office as is her attention to detail.
Once upon a time, Carol E was at the doctor for a check up. He told her she had high blood pressure and cholesterol and needed medication. She asked if there was another way and was told that if she exercised and lost 20 pounds she might get her numbers looking better. So she did. She started running and running and running. She has run many marathons. It is her attitude that was always the key. When things went wrong in her life which they did, she just buckled down and plowed along, smiling all the way. She is a good lady and a pleasure to work with for all those years. And she is still at it today. Hats off to Carol E.
Friday, April 28, 2017
April 28, 2017. Madison, Mississippi. Meal Habits.
Being adaptable is the key to success as you get old. For instance, the nature of our meals is peculiar. Ken has a type of Parkinson's Disease. He has difficulty swallowing so he eats slowly. And he often has ear infections which affects his hearing. When he chews his food, he can not hear so he can either chew or listen, but not at the same time. It is easier for him to eat alone.
When my bones were hurting, sitting in a hard wood chair was difficult for any period of time, so it was easier, when we did not have company, for me to sit in a comfortable living room chair. We started this in Nova Scotia, with Ken sitting at the dining table and me in the adjacent living room. We have continued the practice. Here in Mississippi, Ken eats at the table in the breakfast room and I in my reading chair in the living room. And we both read while we eat.
Sometimes, when my eyes are weary, I watch TV. Today at lunch, I discovered three channels right beside each other devoted to dogs and other pets. Who knew? The program I saw was all about selecting a dog from a shelter. Three families wanted the same dog and 3 experts made the decision. Goodness. How many people would ever watch that show? I guess our meal time habits are just as odd as the TV shows. But we have age as an excuse.
When my bones were hurting, sitting in a hard wood chair was difficult for any period of time, so it was easier, when we did not have company, for me to sit in a comfortable living room chair. We started this in Nova Scotia, with Ken sitting at the dining table and me in the adjacent living room. We have continued the practice. Here in Mississippi, Ken eats at the table in the breakfast room and I in my reading chair in the living room. And we both read while we eat.
Sometimes, when my eyes are weary, I watch TV. Today at lunch, I discovered three channels right beside each other devoted to dogs and other pets. Who knew? The program I saw was all about selecting a dog from a shelter. Three families wanted the same dog and 3 experts made the decision. Goodness. How many people would ever watch that show? I guess our meal time habits are just as odd as the TV shows. But we have age as an excuse.
Thursday, April 27, 2017
April 27, 2017. Madison, Mississippi. Hockey.
Everything you could ever want in a round of hockey playoffs occurred. The games were competitive, in fact 18 games ended playing an overtime, a record for the league. And some of our favorites won their series. Washington beat Toronto. Edmonton beat San Jose. Ottawa won as did Pittsburgh. But the most surprising win was the sweep of the Chicago team by the Nashville Predators. No one predicted that. In fact, I picked Chicago to win the cup.
Now the second round has begun. Last evening the Predators beat St. Louis, and Edmonton beat the Sharks. But tonight I have a problem. Because we have been going to the farm since 1973, we cheer for the Pittsburgh teams. In football we always cheer for the Steelers and the same in hockey. We cheer for the Pittsburgh Penguins. The are a fast team, plus they have Sidney Crosby who comes from Cole Harbour, just outside Halifax. So we like to watch them win.
But now Pittsburgh is playing Washington. For 40 years, we have cheered for the Caps as we lived just outside DC. So who should I root for in this series? I have a problem. Our closest team is the Nashville Predators so we certainly will cheer for them Poor Washington has been so pathetic in playoffs that I would kind of like to see them win this series. But I love to watch the Penguins play. I think I will be neutral and just watch their games. But I will cheer hard for the Predators. They are our team now!!
Now the second round has begun. Last evening the Predators beat St. Louis, and Edmonton beat the Sharks. But tonight I have a problem. Because we have been going to the farm since 1973, we cheer for the Pittsburgh teams. In football we always cheer for the Steelers and the same in hockey. We cheer for the Pittsburgh Penguins. The are a fast team, plus they have Sidney Crosby who comes from Cole Harbour, just outside Halifax. So we like to watch them win.
But now Pittsburgh is playing Washington. For 40 years, we have cheered for the Caps as we lived just outside DC. So who should I root for in this series? I have a problem. Our closest team is the Nashville Predators so we certainly will cheer for them Poor Washington has been so pathetic in playoffs that I would kind of like to see them win this series. But I love to watch the Penguins play. I think I will be neutral and just watch their games. But I will cheer hard for the Predators. They are our team now!!
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
April 26, 2017. Madison, Mississippi. Storms.
A loud noise comes over the television, followed by a man telling us a storm is predicted in our area. A severe storm they say. Even though we are watching the Predators hockey game, they take over every channel. And they text information to you too. We are instructed to go to the weather channel to keep track of the progress of the storm. And when the storm is approaching our area, we are told to go to the lowest part of the house and stay in the center of the building.
On Saturday while I was at the play, a storm came through our area. Ken had stayed home but he reported very little rain and not a lot of lightning. When I came into the house he told me that the power was out. The energy company sends us text messages telling what happened and saying the estimated time for restoration. The system is pleasant and does not leave us guessing about when we will get out of the dark. When the lights came on, I went to turn on the hockey game but our upstairs set would not work so we went to the lower lever TV which was working fine.
On Sunday, Ken did everything he could think of to get the TV to work, but no luck so I called AT&T. They remotely checked our system and finally decided that our box was fried. They would sent us a new box on Tuesday. Our instructions were to return the old one by taking it to UPS who would sent it back. Today we did as we were told. I was in the UPS store for one minute. The young man gave me the tracking number and he did the rest at no charge to me. The whole process was efficient. Now I hope this new storm does not interfere with our systems this time. Ken did not even notice the storm was severe on Saturday. This time it is supposed to be a big one. I can already hear the wind. So here we go.
On Saturday while I was at the play, a storm came through our area. Ken had stayed home but he reported very little rain and not a lot of lightning. When I came into the house he told me that the power was out. The energy company sends us text messages telling what happened and saying the estimated time for restoration. The system is pleasant and does not leave us guessing about when we will get out of the dark. When the lights came on, I went to turn on the hockey game but our upstairs set would not work so we went to the lower lever TV which was working fine.
On Sunday, Ken did everything he could think of to get the TV to work, but no luck so I called AT&T. They remotely checked our system and finally decided that our box was fried. They would sent us a new box on Tuesday. Our instructions were to return the old one by taking it to UPS who would sent it back. Today we did as we were told. I was in the UPS store for one minute. The young man gave me the tracking number and he did the rest at no charge to me. The whole process was efficient. Now I hope this new storm does not interfere with our systems this time. Ken did not even notice the storm was severe on Saturday. This time it is supposed to be a big one. I can already hear the wind. So here we go.
Tuesday, April 25, 2017
April 25, 2017. Madison, Mississippi. This Week.
This week we have no medical appointments which is a good thing. Our week will be quiet but pleasant. Monday afternoon Lourdes came to cook. She stops at the grocery store on the way and she always keeps garlic, onions, potatoes and carrots in the fridge, so as soon as she walks in the house, she starts to cook. From then on our house smells heavenly. When she departs three hours later, she leaves several dishes cooling on the counter to be eaten through the week. We will be well fed.
This morning, Tuesday, Elizabeth usually arrives at 9:30. When she is not here, I know something has happened. Today, when walking to her car, she fainted. Fortunately, her neighbor saw her so took her to the hospital. After an MRI, it turns out a kidney stone was lodged and causing pain. The good doctor broke up the stone and it has passed so now she is home. Elizabeth. in addition to cleaning the house, also drives me on errands, but this week, Ken must accompany me on my rounds. I must go to the bank and the grocery store tomorrow. We are out of berries.
Wednesday afternoon Christina will arrive and work with Ken. We are hoping she will learn the system so will be able to take over if Ken no longer wishes to deal with our accounting. The rest of the week we will putter. Ken today has installed a hummingbird feeder in the front walkway and filled the other feeders. Those birds keep him hopping. Usually, Elizabeth changes the sheets but today I I took on that task. Every day I look after the kitchen. I normally arrange the dinners and load the dishwasher, tasks that I have not been doing for many years. I do not cook but I move around the food, and make decisions about what we will eat and when. During the day I read in between chores. Mississippi and the Civil War is what I am reading. One book deals with the home front and the other book tells of the actual battles. Our week will be quiet but pleasant, just like every other week in Mississippi.
This morning, Tuesday, Elizabeth usually arrives at 9:30. When she is not here, I know something has happened. Today, when walking to her car, she fainted. Fortunately, her neighbor saw her so took her to the hospital. After an MRI, it turns out a kidney stone was lodged and causing pain. The good doctor broke up the stone and it has passed so now she is home. Elizabeth. in addition to cleaning the house, also drives me on errands, but this week, Ken must accompany me on my rounds. I must go to the bank and the grocery store tomorrow. We are out of berries.
Wednesday afternoon Christina will arrive and work with Ken. We are hoping she will learn the system so will be able to take over if Ken no longer wishes to deal with our accounting. The rest of the week we will putter. Ken today has installed a hummingbird feeder in the front walkway and filled the other feeders. Those birds keep him hopping. Usually, Elizabeth changes the sheets but today I I took on that task. Every day I look after the kitchen. I normally arrange the dinners and load the dishwasher, tasks that I have not been doing for many years. I do not cook but I move around the food, and make decisions about what we will eat and when. During the day I read in between chores. Mississippi and the Civil War is what I am reading. One book deals with the home front and the other book tells of the actual battles. Our week will be quiet but pleasant, just like every other week in Mississippi.
Monday, April 24, 2017
April 24, 2017. Madison, Mississippi. Christmas Lights.
Christmas is a long time away but today we ordered Christmas lights to be installed and ready just after Thanksgiving. Ken has always done a wonderful job installing Christmas lights on our houses. His concept was easy: more lights were better. The last time he decorated at the farm he included the old farm house, the top house and the barn. People came from far and wide to see the lights. It looked magical.
Two weeks before Christmas, Ken complained about our lack of lights and remembered that in San Antonio, many lights are installed by a company so Ken wondered if anyone could do it here in the Jackson area. I suggested I call our lighting man Bradley who installed our exterior lights front and back. But it was too close to Christmas so we decided to get organized for Christmas 2017.
Today we met with Bradley and we are all set. He installs Christmas lights as part of his business. In early November he will install lights for Christina and the girls and also for us. Then the day after Thanksgiving he will come and plug in the lights and turn them on. The lights will be on a timer. In early January, he will come and collect the lights and store them for the next season. No fuss or muss for us. This is truly a wonderful world.
he
Two weeks before Christmas, Ken complained about our lack of lights and remembered that in San Antonio, many lights are installed by a company so Ken wondered if anyone could do it here in the Jackson area. I suggested I call our lighting man Bradley who installed our exterior lights front and back. But it was too close to Christmas so we decided to get organized for Christmas 2017.
Today we met with Bradley and we are all set. He installs Christmas lights as part of his business. In early November he will install lights for Christina and the girls and also for us. Then the day after Thanksgiving he will come and plug in the lights and turn them on. The lights will be on a timer. In early January, he will come and collect the lights and store them for the next season. No fuss or muss for us. This is truly a wonderful world.
he
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