July 14, 2018. Madison, Mississippi. Shoes.

Shoes last for a long time, at least, mine do. But every so often, my shoes let me down. After our ladies lunch, Christina took me to the bank to get cash for the trip. When walking into the bank, holding on Christina's arm, looking like a proper lady, the whole sole of my left shoe fell off. All of a sudden I was limping. It took a few steps to figure out what had happened but eventually, Christina rescued the sole and put it into the car, after which we proceeded into the bank, pretending that I was not wearing half a shoe. I was amazed how an inch difference from one shoe to the other causes problems with your gait. But I proceeded as if I looked normal. When I was back in the car and inspecting my shoe I could see that the whole sole had been unglued so I intended to have the shoe repaired. Christina asked me how old was the shoe and I had to admit that the shoe must be 25 years old. The shoe was a light brown flat sandal made of leather. When I got home and showed the shoe to our new helper Kaila, she noted that my right sole seemed to be coming apart too. When I checked it, the front of the sole broke in two. My shoes are now in the trash. I even know what happened to that shoe. I took the shoes to the ranch and kept them in our top house. One summer, the air conditioner in the second floor did not work so the temperature got high, causing the glue to fail. One night when we were out to dinner at Karen and Jacque's home down the road, my black sandals fell apart bit by bit. Big hunks fell off whenever I walked around the house. My great pair of black sandals went into the fire and Karen graciously picked up my mess. That was many years ago. I do believe that I had not ever worn those brown sandals since we brought them to Mississippi from the ranch and the hot room. But I hate to see good comfortable leather shoes die. I am easy on shoes so I expect them to wear forever, even when I do not wear them anymore. But my light brown sandals are now in the trash. I bet I never miss them but I am still irritated.

July 13, 2018. Madison, Mississippi. Planning.

The task is big. We leave next Thursday and return October 27. Our medications must be adequate to last the whole time, which is 101 days. But we are ready. A few days ago I made up Ken's pill boxes and realized that I was short three medications so I talked with the pharmacy. Because I had just obtained a 90 supply two weeks ago, they were required to ask the insurance company for vacation override, which was done. Today I picked them up so his medications are set in his case. I hope I counted correctly. My medications are ready too, except for my Ibrance, the chemo therapy. I must reive the last month of meds deliver to me while in St. Paul. As we are only there one day, it might get difficult. To celebrate our 60th anniversary, Ken and I booked a cruise down the Mississippi, leaving St.Paul October 9 and arriving in New Orleans October 23. We booked the cruise a year ago and for a while we thought we might have to cancel. But we are going. What that means is we must take a case each with us for clothes we will use on the cruise. I do not want to use clothes from Nova Scotia and have them end up in Mississippi so we are set with our cruise cases, which required careful planning as we are taking one small case each along with our even smaller bag for medications. Again, I hope I have remembered to take everything we need. My last task is to take the Mark Twain book from the bookcase and put it into my case. I intend to read Life On the Mississippi as we drift down the mighty river. My planning and implementing is now over.

July 12, 2018. Madison, Mississippi. Ladies Lunch.

Having lunch with the ladies is pure pleasure, especially when you eat in a good restaurant. No part of the event was stressful. I invited Eleanor, Greta Barbour and Christina for lunch at the Ameriga restaurant, which is just down the street from us. In order to enjoy a ladies lunch, all you do is invite the people, make the reservation and enjoy the event. I do not need to set the table nor cook or tidy thee house. These three ladies are our best friends in Jackson so seeing them together is always a treat. All I have to do is show up, and enjoy the conversation. Christina picked me up. We had much to discuss. Jim ha been sick with his diabetes which had been out of wack and Greta Barbour had just returned from their July 4th visit with John's parents at their cabin on the beach. John's Mother had the children make a journal each day. She had brought paper and lost of stuff to put into the journal, including stickers and strings and markers. The children loved it. Now they have a wonderful souvenir. We talked children and we talked Mississippi, both topics dear to my heart. I am always interested in what these home schooled children do all summer. I found out that they are busy. The twin boys work part time at the local country club. All the children attended camp. Evelyn is next week attending sewing class at church. All sorts of activities to enjoy for the summer. Two weeks ago all three Mihls children went to camp so Join and Greta Barbour seen their time paining their bedroom and moving furniture. Greta Barbour inherited her Mothers bedroom furniture is it was in stalled, which meant moving chest around to the children's rooms. All simple pleasures. This morning, Kate, Mary Frances, Molly, Christina and I had a pedicure. When they brought me home, and came in to visit with Ken, Kate discovered that the ladies were going out for lunch. She reminded me that as she was 21 years old, she actually qualified as a lady. But we just laughed. Our ladies lunch was delightful, with good food, interesting conversation with not a scrap of stress. Pretty nice.

July 11, 2018. Madison, Mississippi. Pleasure.

On days when the weather is hot and sultry, which means is not fit to walk, I go to the swimming pool and do my exercises in the deep water. But when it appears that a storm is coming and I am not able to swim, I stay home and walk inside. I walk around the interior of the whole house. You would think it would be boring, but as I walk I look at objects acquired over the years and I smile. By the back door I walk on our first Persian rug, purchased when we lived in our first home on Lancaster Drive. Then I walk through the kitchen past the stove. I have utensils in a hand made piece of pottery, given to us by Dave and Irene. And I smile at the hand painted tray, given to me by Miss Tomlinson. No one but me who sees that try knows anything about Miss. Tomlinson. But I know. And it pleases me. On the walls I recall each purchase of each piece of art. In our early days of travel when we had few funds, we brought back small water colors, so we have numerous pieces which reminds me of each lovely place in the world we had visited. And I enjoy the fact that Mary Frances hung all those small gems of work. And the whole arrangement pleases me. Of course, when I walk by the windows to the reservoir I stop to marvel at the beauty. Over the bookcase I see a picture of Grandma Houghton, taken when she was a small child. Over my desk sits a picture of the twins as babies and glow with gratitude in having twin granddaughters. Every object in our home has a story, mostly known by only me. No one is interested except me. But when I take my walk inside my house, every item brings me great pleasure and I am never bored.

July 10, 2018. Madison, Mississippi. The Trial Run.

Next Thursday on July 19 we fly to Halifax on a direct flight in a private Lear jet. The trip is expensive but at this time of our life, we have no options. We are biting the bullet. We do not leave from the same commercial terminal. The address was unfamiliar to us so today April plugged the address in her GPS and we went to find it. We did not wish to fumble the day we were leaving. Our route took us across the Spillway and along back roads, which pleased us because we had no traffic. When we arrived at our correct destination, April went in to be sure we were in the right place. Our journey took 20 minutes. Now we are happy. Our plan was to stay out for lunch as a reward for our good behavior. April over the years has eaten out a lot as her grandmother likes to dine out and April keeps her company. April suggested The Longhorn restaurant. They are a franchise. We had eaten at a Longhorn in Hagerstown on the way to the farm so we knew they were acceptable. Both Ken and April ate steak and a sweet potato while I ate salmon and mixed vegetables. We all ate the whole thing. But no dessert. The day was lovely except hot. When we arrived home we all agreed that we had accomplished everything on our list: we found the location for our plane, we ate a delicious lunch and we enjoyed a pleasant ride, with April driving. Our excursion was successful.

July 9, 2018. Madison, Mississippi. Stupidity in Action.

How did she think she could get away with it without incurring consequences? I have been wondering and have no real answer except I think Kendria thought we were easy and would not pay attention to our accounts. When I confronted her with her behavior, she was apologetic and wanted to bring the money over on Thursday. But the damage was done. I never wish her in our home again, even though she was sweet to Ken. Last week, Ken received an e mail from American Express saying that his credit card had been used by a remote location. I contacted Am.Ex. They investigated and told us the $375. was paid to Watkins Auto Store. Neither Ken nor I had purchased anything there. I knew the wallet had been in my purse except the time I gave it to Kendria when I was not accompanying Ken for his clinic exercises. Ken only uses Amazon Prime when he orders on line, never his American Express card. Both Ken and I knew there was fraud involved but I never dreamt of Kendria. When I spoke to the accountant at the Auto store he told me that the payment was called in by Kendria Carter so I texted Kendria but she did not respond immediately except to accept responsibility and to apologize.. My next call was to Cindy, the company providing our helpers. Next call was to the Auto store and finally to Am.Ex. We will be reimbursed the funds but for Kendria, she has lost her job. The auto store had filed fraud charges with the police. When she eventually phoned, she was keen to bring over the funds on Thursday but it is too late. The damage was done. What on earth was she thinking? Had she come clean before I found out we would have perhaps allowed her to pay us back but she thought she was going to get away with it. After all, she made her payment on June 25. She must have been on pins and needles ever since. Ken said that was why Kendria was being so helpful and friendly the past few weeks. It is a fascinating store but a totally stupid act on her part.

July 8, 2018. Madison, Mississippi. The World Cup.

This 2018 World Cup has been exciting. In years past, the teams seemed to play as to not lose so much play involved defense. But not this year. Great offensive plays and much action. The games were not boring a bit. I expected not to enjoy many parts of the games. I must admit that I never played soccer so the fine parts of the game escape me. I do not know a lot about strategy. But I know I hate it when the players kick the ball back to the defense. Time after time. I hate it. But this World Cup had plenty of goals and shots on the goal with many spectacular saves by the goalies. And I have been happy because the traditional powers are out. No Germany. No Spain. No Brazil. No Argentina. The four semi finalists are England vs Croatia, and France vs. Belgium. So we will have a new champion. Germany won last time four years ago. My question is who selects the songs the fans sing and how do they end up singing in tune? Both in the round of 16 and the quarter finals the English fans sang "God Save the Queen," time and again. Does everyone stand? And what are the other songs being sung by other countries fans? Is it also a national anthum? I need some knowledgeable person to fill me in with the details. This Gold Cup has been the best ever. All the commentators agree with me!!