My life has been spent going out. Both Ken and I went to work every day except when we were on vacation. We attended concerts and parties. And we went for long walks. But we certainly did not spend a lot of time at home. We were always on the go, attending band or songster practices or meetings of one kind or another. And we entertained.
Now we are happy to stay at home. I am still amazed that I am content to stay home. Recently I read an article saying that one symptom of senility is when you cease to want to go out. I wonder if this is true. I guess we will find out. One would think that not being able to drive is a major irritation to me, but it is not. I am just relaxed about it and I do not fret. I probably assume that one day I will be able to drive again so I am just waiting for my eyes to heal and my glasses are corrected.
Of course, our homes in the past were not as beautiful as those we live in now, but our homes were fine. We just did not spend much time in them. At our age and infirmities, being home is easier than going out. And we both enjoy being home together. This is a surprise and a delight. It is true. You can teach old dogs. We are the perfect example that these old dogs have learned to stay at home and enjoy themselves. Wonders never cease.
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
Tuesday, December 6, 2016
December 6, 2016. Madison, Mississippi. Birthday Girl.
Today I am the birthday girl. In 1937 I was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, which means I turned 79 today. I was born at Grace Hospital, the Salvation Army hospital where my Aunt Miriam was the person in charge. Next year will be a Big O year when I turn 80. Already friends from work are asking if we will have a Big O party. Our party was to celebrate folks in the office who turned an O year that year. We celebrated in style at a hotel downtown. Snow was falling so most folks took the Metro. Great party in 2007.
I had learned early in my life to organize my own party so this year Christina, Ken and I ate my birthday lunch at an Italian restaurant in the Renaissance. Christina picked us up so we did not even have to drive. The food was excellent, as was the company. Elizabeth, our cleaning lady brought us dinner tonight so I have been well looked after today.
The rest of the day I spent checking my e mails from all my friends from Facebook. And other friends and relatives contacted me too both by phone and Internet. When we came home from lunch, a lovely floral arrangement was at our front door. It had a Christmas theme so it fits right in with our festive decor. David, Suzanne and the girls sent me the flowers. Christina always bakes me a cake so I will enjoy that too. I feel well loved and grateful. Being the birthday girl certainly has advantages!!
I had learned early in my life to organize my own party so this year Christina, Ken and I ate my birthday lunch at an Italian restaurant in the Renaissance. Christina picked us up so we did not even have to drive. The food was excellent, as was the company. Elizabeth, our cleaning lady brought us dinner tonight so I have been well looked after today.
The rest of the day I spent checking my e mails from all my friends from Facebook. And other friends and relatives contacted me too both by phone and Internet. When we came home from lunch, a lovely floral arrangement was at our front door. It had a Christmas theme so it fits right in with our festive decor. David, Suzanne and the girls sent me the flowers. Christina always bakes me a cake so I will enjoy that too. I feel well loved and grateful. Being the birthday girl certainly has advantages!!
Monday, December 5, 2016
December 5, 2016. Madison, Mississippi. Maple Syrup.
Today I poured the last of the gallon jug of maple syrup given to me by my sister and brother in law from Williamsport, Ontario. Carol and Ken visited us each year. They came to the farm every so often, to Nova Scotia every Fall and to Texas every few years. They always brought us a gallon jug of maple syrup from their Mennonite friends who were neighbors. Both Carol and Ken died several years ago so we will not be getting any more. I felt sad when I poured the last.
Sometimes we were overloaded with the syrup so I froze it, which is why I am just now using the last of the jug brought down from the farm. Ken used to laugh about it because we always had so much on hand but he will miss it now.
Making maple syrup is not easy and is labor intensive especially as the Mennonites use no electricity. Their friends always saved sever gallons for Carol, so we never went without maple syrup in our homes. I think we have enjoyed that syrup from Carol and Ken for over thirty years. We like maple syrup. Ken uses it every morning on his cereal. Now we will have to buy our own. But it will not be the same. This summer I used the last of our supply in Nova Scotia. Now we have eaten the last here in Mississippi. Hats off to Carol and Ken for their generosity. I still miss them and their maple syrup.
Sometimes we were overloaded with the syrup so I froze it, which is why I am just now using the last of the jug brought down from the farm. Ken used to laugh about it because we always had so much on hand but he will miss it now.
Making maple syrup is not easy and is labor intensive especially as the Mennonites use no electricity. Their friends always saved sever gallons for Carol, so we never went without maple syrup in our homes. I think we have enjoyed that syrup from Carol and Ken for over thirty years. We like maple syrup. Ken uses it every morning on his cereal. Now we will have to buy our own. But it will not be the same. This summer I used the last of our supply in Nova Scotia. Now we have eaten the last here in Mississippi. Hats off to Carol and Ken for their generosity. I still miss them and their maple syrup.
Sunday, December 4, 2016
December 4, 2016. Madison, Mississippi. Mary Frances.
If the story is true, it is not bragging, just factual, at least according to my Mother. Mary Frances has been in a play at her school, Jackson Prep. You must audition for a part. The play was not familiar to me, "The Dining Table", but she got a juicy part. The school was entering the play in a competition, to be held at Mississippi State. This competition, held on Friday and Saturday this past week, is for schools in the northern part of the state. Four of the 20 winners advance to a state wide competition against the souther winners, to be held in mid January at Southern Mississippi University.
The play was performed at school on Thursday evening, which we unfortunately missed. I can not drive at all and Ken will not drive at night, but Christina reported that the performance was excellent.
At each performance at the competition, an adjudicator makes suggestions and evaluations. He singled out Mary Frances by saying that her performance by words and body language made her character believable. During the play, she ages and eventually becomes senile. The judge asked her if she had anyone in her family that she had observed to learn so well her character. She said no. Whew.
Mary Frances' school advanced to the next round of competition. She was thrilled. The teacher/director also won the prize for being the best director. Evidently, every one in the cast had a great time. They got to see all the different plays in addition to performing. Jackson Prep has an excellent program in performing arts along with art. And the academics are of high level as well. Congratulations to Mary Frances and the cast of The Dining Table. They did well.
The play was performed at school on Thursday evening, which we unfortunately missed. I can not drive at all and Ken will not drive at night, but Christina reported that the performance was excellent.
At each performance at the competition, an adjudicator makes suggestions and evaluations. He singled out Mary Frances by saying that her performance by words and body language made her character believable. During the play, she ages and eventually becomes senile. The judge asked her if she had anyone in her family that she had observed to learn so well her character. She said no. Whew.
Mary Frances' school advanced to the next round of competition. She was thrilled. The teacher/director also won the prize for being the best director. Evidently, every one in the cast had a great time. They got to see all the different plays in addition to performing. Jackson Prep has an excellent program in performing arts along with art. And the academics are of high level as well. Congratulations to Mary Frances and the cast of The Dining Table. They did well.
Saturday, December 3, 2016
December 3, 2016. Madison, Mississippi. My Friend Mary,
My friend Mary broke her leg, a compound fracture of her left tibia and fibula. Not a good break Of course, no break is a good break but these breaks on load bearing bones are especially difficult. She is prepared for a long recovery.
She was in the attic retrieving Christmas decorations at their home in Delaware when she stepped in a hole on the attic floor. Her leg got caught and she lost her balance and fell, which left her leg in the hole. Mary could see what she had done and immediately called 911 who came promptly. The big problem was how to get her over to the stairs and then get down the pull up stairs. They suggested calling a crane to lower her down but she refused. Instead, the emergency attendant put a balloon cast on her leg. Then Mary scooted like a crab on her back side and arms and one good leg while the attendant held the broken leg. She came down the stairs the same way. Once on the second floor, she had clear sailing as they had a chair that wheeled down the stairs and to the waiting ambulance.
The surgery was done that afternoon and she stayed two days in the hospital. Now she is home but she may not put any weight on that leg and won't for many weeks. When I talked to her today she was busy looking on the Internet to purchase a wheelchair. At the moment, she gets around using a walker, hopping with the one leg. When their home was renovated, they installed a stair electric chair. Wise move.
Her timing is good. There is no gardening to be done right now and sailing season is over so she can rest to her hearts content. But the moral of the story is to keep your Christmas decorations in closets on the main floor. My friend Mary now has a lot of time to practice her flute.
She was in the attic retrieving Christmas decorations at their home in Delaware when she stepped in a hole on the attic floor. Her leg got caught and she lost her balance and fell, which left her leg in the hole. Mary could see what she had done and immediately called 911 who came promptly. The big problem was how to get her over to the stairs and then get down the pull up stairs. They suggested calling a crane to lower her down but she refused. Instead, the emergency attendant put a balloon cast on her leg. Then Mary scooted like a crab on her back side and arms and one good leg while the attendant held the broken leg. She came down the stairs the same way. Once on the second floor, she had clear sailing as they had a chair that wheeled down the stairs and to the waiting ambulance.
The surgery was done that afternoon and she stayed two days in the hospital. Now she is home but she may not put any weight on that leg and won't for many weeks. When I talked to her today she was busy looking on the Internet to purchase a wheelchair. At the moment, she gets around using a walker, hopping with the one leg. When their home was renovated, they installed a stair electric chair. Wise move.
Her timing is good. There is no gardening to be done right now and sailing season is over so she can rest to her hearts content. But the moral of the story is to keep your Christmas decorations in closets on the main floor. My friend Mary now has a lot of time to practice her flute.
Friday, December 2, 2016
December 2, 2016. Madison, Mississippi. Eye Drops.
My full time task these days is putting drops in my eyes. I have four different drops to put in my eyes. It seems simple enough but trying to remember when you put the last drop in and at what time is actually difficult. Dr. Kosco gave me a chart: 6 times a day with the bottle with the white top in the left eye, 4 times a day with the tan top bottle in the left eye, two times a day with the red top bottle in the left eye and one drop in my right eye with the pink top bottle. Keeping it straight is not easy. At first I was using a pen to mark on a chart but I finally arrived at a clever system that is working like a charm.
I made a chart for the times each day when I use the drops for each of the four bottles. I spaced the times out on a paper. The chart gives me the times throughout out the day so as I put in the drops at 8:00, I moved the white top bottle onto the 8 on my chart. I do the same with each bottle. So I know immediately what drop needs to be put in my eye at any time. My system has worked for two days. It is a bit like playing snakes and ladders in that I move the bottles across my chart. For instance, this evening I have only one time slot empty which is the white bottle for the 11:00 drop. The system is simple and effective. Of course, if anyone moves my little bottles off my simple chart I will be in trouble. Ken will leave them alone but Elizabeth the cleaning lady will never leave the clutter on the bathroom counter. But there is hope. I see the surgeon again on Monday and he doubtless will change my schedule.
The brain is a funny thing. When you do the same action multiple times, the brain stops registering what has been done, which is why we must keep medications in a little box separate for each day because we do not remember what we have just done. Actually the same is true for muscles. You must change your pattern of exercise to increase strength. Now I am set with my drops. But I will be ready for this eye to be healed from the surgery even though I have solved the problem of what drop to use. My system works well, finally.
I made a chart for the times each day when I use the drops for each of the four bottles. I spaced the times out on a paper. The chart gives me the times throughout out the day so as I put in the drops at 8:00, I moved the white top bottle onto the 8 on my chart. I do the same with each bottle. So I know immediately what drop needs to be put in my eye at any time. My system has worked for two days. It is a bit like playing snakes and ladders in that I move the bottles across my chart. For instance, this evening I have only one time slot empty which is the white bottle for the 11:00 drop. The system is simple and effective. Of course, if anyone moves my little bottles off my simple chart I will be in trouble. Ken will leave them alone but Elizabeth the cleaning lady will never leave the clutter on the bathroom counter. But there is hope. I see the surgeon again on Monday and he doubtless will change my schedule.
The brain is a funny thing. When you do the same action multiple times, the brain stops registering what has been done, which is why we must keep medications in a little box separate for each day because we do not remember what we have just done. Actually the same is true for muscles. You must change your pattern of exercise to increase strength. Now I am set with my drops. But I will be ready for this eye to be healed from the surgery even though I have solved the problem of what drop to use. My system works well, finally.
Thursday, December 1, 2016
December 1, 2016. Madison, Mississippi. The Grey Cup.
My family had moved from Calgary to Vancouver late in 1947. In fact, my brother stayed back in Calgary in order to complete his high school and joined us in Vancouver the next June. My father moved to Calgary from England with his family somewhere in 1913, so Calgary was his home town and he always cheered for The Calgary Stampeders even when we lived in the east. 1948 was the first time the Stampeders won the Grey Cup, the championship of the Canadian Football League. They had won the Grey Cup several times since 1948.
I remember the year because a family friend, Mr. Honeychurch, sent my father a big package that said in large print Calgary 35, and in tiny letters, the opposite team and their score. It was fun. When my father died, we found that package in his belongings. I wonder where it is now?
This past Sunday, the Calgary Stampeders were expected to win again, but they got fooled. The Ottawa Red Blacks beat them for the championship. According to the announcers, the Stampeders were heavily favored but for the first half it was all Ottawa. But Calgary stormed back in the second half to tie the game, only to see Ottawa win at the last minute. It was exciting but as usual, I can not sit still for the whole game. I always cheer for the underdogs but my father would not be pleased to see me cheering for anyone other that Calgary so I stayed neutral. But to tell the truth, I was pleased to see Ottawa win the Grey Cup. Our Ottawa family is pleased too .
I remember the year because a family friend, Mr. Honeychurch, sent my father a big package that said in large print Calgary 35, and in tiny letters, the opposite team and their score. It was fun. When my father died, we found that package in his belongings. I wonder where it is now?
This past Sunday, the Calgary Stampeders were expected to win again, but they got fooled. The Ottawa Red Blacks beat them for the championship. According to the announcers, the Stampeders were heavily favored but for the first half it was all Ottawa. But Calgary stormed back in the second half to tie the game, only to see Ottawa win at the last minute. It was exciting but as usual, I can not sit still for the whole game. I always cheer for the underdogs but my father would not be pleased to see me cheering for anyone other that Calgary so I stayed neutral. But to tell the truth, I was pleased to see Ottawa win the Grey Cup. Our Ottawa family is pleased too .
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