My Tia Wooobeee asked that i get off my duff and update this blog. Because she is so special, i will do my very best to accommodate her quest for knowledge and wisdom (and gossip and such).
Let's see.... I last blogged in April around Easter, eagerly anticipating Nana's visit from TN and Steven's graduation from ASU.
Both events happened as planned.
Nana (Vern's mom) arrived in Tucson on May 11 for a week-long visit at our home. This was her first solo flight, and we hoped that it would be smooth and uneventful. Thanks to American Airlines and perhaps the weather somewhere back East, her flight was delayed leaving Knoxville, which made her miss her connecting flight to Tucson in Dallas. American was not too concerned about her plight, however, becuz there were several later flights that could carry her to Tucson. But, she stood by for the next flight and then another, without boarding. Instead of arriving here around 2 pm as scheduled, she arrived at 7:30 pm. That was 10:30 pm Eastern time. Bless her heart, Nana had an anxiety-filled day, but she was a trooper. Arrived in Tucson unscathed, and not as hungry as we expected. Reason: she had snacked in Dallas while she stood by for flights. Nevertheless, we stopped at a Sonic on the way home and pigged out on junk food as her (and our)reward!
We loved having Nana with us for the week. The focal point of her visit was, of course, the graduation events at ASU. After all the hype i gave you readers about attending the mass graduation event in Sun Devil Stadium (8000 grads on the field) with our esteemed President Obama giving the commencement address, we didn't attend...instead, we watched the President's approximately 25-minute address in the air conditioned comfort of our living room in Tucson. And, son Steven was nowhere to be seen on that sizzling, sardine-packed field.
A combination of conditions led to our decision to stay in Tucson and not attend the field ceremony, and instead, to attend the College of Design graduation in Tempe on May 14. That was the real deal where Steven actually walked on the stage and received his diploma. And it was in an air-conditioned sports arena at ASU.
Our decision was preceded by Steven's diabolical plan to foil our hearing Obama's address in the flesh. We had 6 tickets reserved for the stadium event. It was up to the student (aka Steven) to pick up said tickets at a campus location. Steven had already made up his mind that he did not want to participate in the mass graduation. He based his decision on the fact that he would have to be present for rehearsal at the stadium at 3 pm on a very hot (100+) day, after enduring the heavy security screening being conducted becuz of Obama's visit. He also said that he was concerned for Nana and us having to wait in the blazing sun for at least 90 minutes to pass thru the screening. Then, the seats we would be assigned were a crap shoot. We may have lucked out or we may have been up yonder dodging the small jets arriving at Sky Harbor. In any case, he let his opportunity to fetch our tickets lapse beyond the deadline. When i learned of this, i freaked out and scolded him to no end, threatening things i don't wanna repeat here. He begged my forgiveness, saying he moved heaven and earth trying after the deadline to score the tickets. Sooooooo, that's why we watched the graduation ceremony at home. No one at the stadium event got their diploma, and several folks, including students, were treated for heat exhaustion. Maybe Steven was right after all.
The May 14 College of Design graduation was much more comfortable. It was indoors and lasted about an hour and a half. Approximately 800 students were presented individually with their diplomas. We took pictures with those little disposable cameras from the drugstore, and professionals took photos of each grad as he/she left the stage. Afterward, due to time constraints, we went to the nearby Chompie's Deli in Tempe for a late supper.
On the following Saturday, we hosted a celebratory cookout. David's aunt Darlene and cousin Mark came down from Phx for the day. I grilled sweet Italian sausage; burgers; Nathan's beef franks; and red, yellow and green peppers. Had a mixed salad of fresh fruit as a side, and all the usual accompaniments. Darlene and Mark stayed til after sunset talking about David's uncle John, who passed away in Dec 08 and David's Dad, who passed away in Jan 09, as well as catching up on other family events. I believe a good time was had by all.
Nana left us on Monday, May 18, and her return flight was much improved over the first adventure.
Not much else to say about May 09, except that Vern worked on getting the foundation laid for the greenhouse. As of today, he has the bottom section of the thing built and battened down on landscape timbers and about 2 tons of sand raked out inside the structure as the base for the humongous concrete pavers we are using for the floor. Slow going, but that's life with Vern.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Tia Wooobeee as she continues to slowwwwwwwly recover from biliary surgery. She had a ruptured gall bladder and some post-surgery complications that have kept her down and out for 2 months now. We wish her the best and send all our love.
My next post will continue with June and July to recount my snoozer of a life for posterity.
Love and peace to all of you.
a
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Christos Voskres! Христос воскресе!
Hola, familia y amigos!
Getting ready to watch Steven graduate from ASU on May 13 and again on May 14 from the College of Design. We are so very, very proud of our son for his perseverance and endurance in a highly challenging curriculum.
Vern's mom, Imazo, plans to fly to Tucson to join us for a wee vacation and to attend the commencement. I am pumped because our new President will be delivering the commencement address. This will be the first time that I have ever personally seen or heard a President speak! And what a great speaker he is. It is indeed an honor for all graduating to hear his thoughts on their future and the changes planned for our nation.
On the home front, we had guests in our front yard yesterday...a backhoe digging up the phone utility near the edge of our property under the direction of the man who owns about 300 lots in Diamond Bell Ranch (most are 1 or more acres), our subdivision, which is part of a working cattle ranch. Vern went over to see what they were doing and found out that the guy owns the vacant lot next to us. He offered to sell it to us for $25K. We may take him up on the offer to preserve the desert space and our unobstructed view of Kitt Peak and the Baboquivari Mountains. I will be paying off our credit card debt in the near future. If we can get him down to $20K, we'll likely make an offer.
After the backhoe trampled everything in its wake near the utility boxes, the driver maneuvered it thru the cacti to our backyard, where Vern had him level off a 12 x 25 ft area to place my new greenhouse. What good fortune! Now we can place the landscape timbers and concrete blocks that we are going to use for the greenhouse floor. Vern has been assembling pieces of the structure in the garage, which is overflowing and which I cannot use to park my car. Since it will be heating up in May, I'd like to have all the boxes out of there so I can park. My car is black, so it of course absorbs every uv ray it receives.
I am enjoying my new office. Feels like a throne room after the tiny one I occupied for almost 6 years.
Vern didn't get the lateral position at the corrections officer training academy, but i don't think it bummed him out any. The drive would've improved and so would the hours, but what the heck, if it is meant to be, it will be and if not, so be it.
Imazo sounds much better and stronger as she recovers from gall bladder surgery. Now we as a family are faced with our Auntie Ruby (vern's dad's sister) having laparoscopic surgery next Friday to remove a cyst on her ovary. She was diagnosed with the problem last week after spending a full day in the ER of a local hospital. There is no certainty that the cyst is benign, and if it is not, there may be further abdominal tissue removed during the surgery. Ruby had a similar cyst removed along with her other ovary over 40 years ago, and it was benign. Our prayers are that this one will be as well.
Meanwhile, we are keepin' the faith and enjoyin' spring sunshine and wildflowers. Right now we have pink, purple, yellow and orange trees, shrubs, and flowers surrounding us. Also, the trees are leafing out that lovely yellow-green color that they do as summer approaches. The 90 degree pool beckons me as I type this. Guess I'll go for a lap swim when I am through.
May the Force be with you all. Congratulations to Aunt Barbara and cousing JoAnne on their new great-grandbaby and grandbaby! And may you all rejoice in the resurrection this Easter Sunday! Christos Voskres!! Христос воскресе!
Enjoy Easter with my peeps at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSokEF1XXis
Intro is chanting...followed by Ruthenian music.
a
Getting ready to watch Steven graduate from ASU on May 13 and again on May 14 from the College of Design. We are so very, very proud of our son for his perseverance and endurance in a highly challenging curriculum.
Vern's mom, Imazo, plans to fly to Tucson to join us for a wee vacation and to attend the commencement. I am pumped because our new President will be delivering the commencement address. This will be the first time that I have ever personally seen or heard a President speak! And what a great speaker he is. It is indeed an honor for all graduating to hear his thoughts on their future and the changes planned for our nation.
On the home front, we had guests in our front yard yesterday...a backhoe digging up the phone utility near the edge of our property under the direction of the man who owns about 300 lots in Diamond Bell Ranch (most are 1 or more acres), our subdivision, which is part of a working cattle ranch. Vern went over to see what they were doing and found out that the guy owns the vacant lot next to us. He offered to sell it to us for $25K. We may take him up on the offer to preserve the desert space and our unobstructed view of Kitt Peak and the Baboquivari Mountains. I will be paying off our credit card debt in the near future. If we can get him down to $20K, we'll likely make an offer.
After the backhoe trampled everything in its wake near the utility boxes, the driver maneuvered it thru the cacti to our backyard, where Vern had him level off a 12 x 25 ft area to place my new greenhouse. What good fortune! Now we can place the landscape timbers and concrete blocks that we are going to use for the greenhouse floor. Vern has been assembling pieces of the structure in the garage, which is overflowing and which I cannot use to park my car. Since it will be heating up in May, I'd like to have all the boxes out of there so I can park. My car is black, so it of course absorbs every uv ray it receives.
I am enjoying my new office. Feels like a throne room after the tiny one I occupied for almost 6 years.
Vern didn't get the lateral position at the corrections officer training academy, but i don't think it bummed him out any. The drive would've improved and so would the hours, but what the heck, if it is meant to be, it will be and if not, so be it.
Imazo sounds much better and stronger as she recovers from gall bladder surgery. Now we as a family are faced with our Auntie Ruby (vern's dad's sister) having laparoscopic surgery next Friday to remove a cyst on her ovary. She was diagnosed with the problem last week after spending a full day in the ER of a local hospital. There is no certainty that the cyst is benign, and if it is not, there may be further abdominal tissue removed during the surgery. Ruby had a similar cyst removed along with her other ovary over 40 years ago, and it was benign. Our prayers are that this one will be as well.
Meanwhile, we are keepin' the faith and enjoyin' spring sunshine and wildflowers. Right now we have pink, purple, yellow and orange trees, shrubs, and flowers surrounding us. Also, the trees are leafing out that lovely yellow-green color that they do as summer approaches. The 90 degree pool beckons me as I type this. Guess I'll go for a lap swim when I am through.
May the Force be with you all. Congratulations to Aunt Barbara and cousing JoAnne on their new great-grandbaby and grandbaby! And may you all rejoice in the resurrection this Easter Sunday! Christos Voskres!! Христос воскресе!
Enjoy Easter with my peeps at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSokEF1XXis
Intro is chanting...followed by Ruthenian music.
a
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Tiptoe Thru The Tulips
Mundane life is basically the same here in the Old Pueblo.
Vern's Mom, Imazo, is doing incrementally better at home, so we hear from other kin. Her sisters-in-law, Mae and Ruby, have been very kind to visit her frequently and go out to eat and play with her around Knoxville. They've been to many of their favorite haunts---Cracker Barrel, Louis', Litton's---since Imazo was sprung from the hospital, and Ruby has chauffered her to handle business matters. Jeff (V's bro') and his wife Peggy also spend regular time with her, and her sisters from down in Monroe and Bradley counties (i.e., the "country") as well as sister/nieces in Ohio chat with her often via Ma Bell. We wish we could be there to help as well, but it's a long hop to TN. So we FTD'd flowers (15 giant tulips) instead. Until the redbuds and dogwood pop their color at the end of March, it's a constantly depressing drab view out the winter window in TN. Our intent was to brighten her day.
On Monday of this past week, V had an oral board interview for a lateral position at the Corrections Officers Training Academy here in Tucson. It is the location of the training he completed 9 years ago when he was hired by the State. He told me he didn't think he'd get it, and I responded, "Never assume anything." If he gets the position, he'd have a shorter drive to work and more fun, since he'd be teaching new hires how to babysit inmates, rather than doing it himself.
I ventured into town 3 days this week to my new and glorious office. Actually, it's twice as big as the previous one, but smells like a bunch of old wet sneakers. GSA is going to replace the carpet (didn't happen as scheduled before I moved in) and paint. Thus, the office will no longer smell of sneakers but of new carpet and paint. I can work at home while the fumes are dissipating. The windows in the Fed'l bldg do not open (rats!); I sure wish they did. We are like prisoners inhaling 40-year-old recycled air, replete with myriad mystery mold spores and ancient farts.
Yesterday, I did my second lap swim of 2009 in our 95-degree pool. The first was about a month ago during a warm spell, when the water was 88 degrees. Since then, the water temp. declined because of cool nights and windy days, and now, with a bunch of sunshine and 80-degree days, is akin to bathwater. Felt good to flex the ole muscles and sleep it off (12 hours!).
We'll probably be headed soon to breakfast at the local diner at Ryan Airfield, about 15 miles from our home. On Sundays, we often combine the trip with a visit to the county dump (afterward, of course) to save gas and time. We've taken visiting family there (diner not dump), as maybe some of you recall. Todd (the owner) uses only fresh ingredients, so I shouldn't refer to the place as a "diner", but rather an "upscale diner". Both of us usually have a corned beef hash breakfast. Alternatives are a 3-egg omelette bf or a buckwheat waffle w/ strawberries and real whipped cream.
Steven confirmed this week that he will graduate from AZ State U on May 14 at 5:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to venture westward to support him. He asked me if we needed tickets for anyone else. I told him I doubted it (hated to disappoint him).
Cooler air temps today (70s) and breezy as a California storm passes across AZ to our north. Trees we planted in Feb are leafing out and my potted flowers are a-bloomin'. Humidity is generally less than 10% every day and watering daily is a must!
Hope y'all are healthy and blessed.
a
Vern's Mom, Imazo, is doing incrementally better at home, so we hear from other kin. Her sisters-in-law, Mae and Ruby, have been very kind to visit her frequently and go out to eat and play with her around Knoxville. They've been to many of their favorite haunts---Cracker Barrel, Louis', Litton's---since Imazo was sprung from the hospital, and Ruby has chauffered her to handle business matters. Jeff (V's bro') and his wife Peggy also spend regular time with her, and her sisters from down in Monroe and Bradley counties (i.e., the "country") as well as sister/nieces in Ohio chat with her often via Ma Bell. We wish we could be there to help as well, but it's a long hop to TN. So we FTD'd flowers (15 giant tulips) instead. Until the redbuds and dogwood pop their color at the end of March, it's a constantly depressing drab view out the winter window in TN. Our intent was to brighten her day.
On Monday of this past week, V had an oral board interview for a lateral position at the Corrections Officers Training Academy here in Tucson. It is the location of the training he completed 9 years ago when he was hired by the State. He told me he didn't think he'd get it, and I responded, "Never assume anything." If he gets the position, he'd have a shorter drive to work and more fun, since he'd be teaching new hires how to babysit inmates, rather than doing it himself.
I ventured into town 3 days this week to my new and glorious office. Actually, it's twice as big as the previous one, but smells like a bunch of old wet sneakers. GSA is going to replace the carpet (didn't happen as scheduled before I moved in) and paint. Thus, the office will no longer smell of sneakers but of new carpet and paint. I can work at home while the fumes are dissipating. The windows in the Fed'l bldg do not open (rats!); I sure wish they did. We are like prisoners inhaling 40-year-old recycled air, replete with myriad mystery mold spores and ancient farts.
Yesterday, I did my second lap swim of 2009 in our 95-degree pool. The first was about a month ago during a warm spell, when the water was 88 degrees. Since then, the water temp. declined because of cool nights and windy days, and now, with a bunch of sunshine and 80-degree days, is akin to bathwater. Felt good to flex the ole muscles and sleep it off (12 hours!).
We'll probably be headed soon to breakfast at the local diner at Ryan Airfield, about 15 miles from our home. On Sundays, we often combine the trip with a visit to the county dump (afterward, of course) to save gas and time. We've taken visiting family there (diner not dump), as maybe some of you recall. Todd (the owner) uses only fresh ingredients, so I shouldn't refer to the place as a "diner", but rather an "upscale diner". Both of us usually have a corned beef hash breakfast. Alternatives are a 3-egg omelette bf or a buckwheat waffle w/ strawberries and real whipped cream.
Steven confirmed this week that he will graduate from AZ State U on May 14 at 5:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to venture westward to support him. He asked me if we needed tickets for anyone else. I told him I doubted it (hated to disappoint him).
Cooler air temps today (70s) and breezy as a California storm passes across AZ to our north. Trees we planted in Feb are leafing out and my potted flowers are a-bloomin'. Humidity is generally less than 10% every day and watering daily is a must!
Hope y'all are healthy and blessed.
a
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Life in West Overshoe, Kansas
Yes, it's true folks. Delilah Dreggs has risen off her lazy duff.
Catching up since December will require some serious memory retrieval, but since it's long(er) term that remembering what I had for breakfast, I'm confident all will be recollected just fine.
January of this year was chaotic. David's Dad, Hugh, went downhill fast, health-wise. By mid-January, he was in St. Mary's Hospital in Knoxville, having been admitted following a routine trip for a medical appointment. He had a "spell" in the hospital van that had picked him up at his residence to transport him to his appointment. The spell was soon diagnosed as a heart attack. He spent a week in the hospital, during which time he was pumped full of Lasix, a drug that lessens edema, til they could pump no higher dose within acceptable health limits.
When we visited TN in December, Hugh's legs were immense, Alley-Oop-like, and he couldn't walk 10 steps with a walker without pausing to catch his breath and to ease the pain of walking on them. I understand from kin that, while in the hospital, his stomach, arms and hands ballooned, and Imazo, my mother-in-law, removed his wedding ring to ensure that it wouldn't have to be excised from his finger down the road.
Hugh was in the hospital about 5 days when the doctor's released him to return home to "hospice" care, an indication of the gravity of his condition. He returned home to a hospital bed with a window view on Wednesday, and within 24 hours on Thursday, he passed away from a fatal heart attack. My brother-in-law Jeff attempted resuscitation, but was unsuccessful. We pray that all his suffering vanished with the ascension of his soul.
Fortunately, before Hugh died, I had secured a flight for David (Vern) to Knoxville that Saturday. I had to scurry to find flights for myself and Steven to attend the funeral. Steven flew out of Phoenix, and we flew from Tucson. Initially, Vern's trip was to be a visit with his dying Dad, and it was to last from Saturday to Saturday. Instead, it became a much sadder excursion, but it did allow him time to spend with Imazo, pre- and post-funeral.
Steven and the rest of Hugh's grandsons (there are no granddaughters) were pall bearers. It was cold and rainy (what else is new?) in Knoxville, fit weather for such a sad occasion.
Although I was barely in Knoxville for 2.5 days, David and I managed to drive to Cade's Cove in the Smoky Mtns. to enjoy the albeit soggy scenery and foraging wildlife. It was surreal as we rode around the 11-mile cove loop. More grazing deer than we'd ever, in all our years in TN, enjoyed on our trips to the mountains. A 6-point buck jumped a fence on the right side of the road, stood to the left of our car and grazed a bit on some tasty grass on the edge of the road, then jumped the left fence to continue his supper in that pasture. Wow! Our kingdom for a camera!!
I returned to AZ on Tuesday while Vern stayed on. Steven flew home Monday, because school had just commenced at ASU. He had a great flight with a whole seat to himself to lie down and rest.
I had a rain delay and was packed like a sardine into a window seat, where I had to hold my water for 4.5 hours while a German lady in the middle seat snoozed on her tray table. I didn't want to piss her off by awakening her. I squirmed a lot (no leg room) and read a new non-fiction book I'd bought in Knoxville, "The Well-Dressed Ape". It relates the similarities/disimilarities between the human species and the rest of the animal kingdom. While it's a great book, it could not succeed in tricking my brain to forget about my bladder. When we arrived in Tucson, I pushed and shoved and scratched and bit til I reached relief on the porcelain throne.
Back in Tucson, I basked in the sunny glow of Arizona winter, enjoying the 80-degree weather and ragging on Vern every time we talked.
Unfortunately, Bozhe eavesdropped on my braggadocio, promptly reminding me to be humble by bestowing a nasty cold on me. I hadn't had a sore throat in 10 years out West, but this one was a doozy. With a head full of snot and lungs corroded with something similar, I was out of work for a week. Took well into February til I felt any relief.
February was relatively uneventful. We purchased some trees and potting posies, which are now gracing the patio as added color. Vern planted two fig trees among the flagstone beyond the pool deck. We also bought a windmill palm that he put in at the other end of the pool. After we traveled to San Diego at the end of February to see my endocrinologist at Scripps, we stopped in Yuma and dug up some volunteer palms along the farm roads. He planted them next to the small koi pond (minus koi) and fountain we have to the left of the patio. Then, he planted a honeysuckle and jasmine to climb up the patio trellis and two crepe myrtles next to the pool fence in front of the patio. Fingers crossed, all will endure and prosper.
On our return from San Diego, we made a side trip to Algodones, a small village in Mexico 6 miles west of Yuma. There, we procured a bunch of very low cost medicine for a total of $30. Bless his heart, Vern waited in line to go thru customs for an hour, on foot. The place was rampant with snowbirds, stocking up for their Winnebago trips back to WA, ID, MT, OR, and Canada. We ate at a favorite haunt in Yuma, Ronnie's Pizza, before returning to Tucson. Ronnie is from Philly and makes me homesick with his thin-crust monster pies! YUMMM-O!
We're into March now, and with it has come more illness. Vern's mom became ill last weekend and Jeff took her to St. Mary's emergency room, where they diagnosed a gall bladder bloated with 81 years worth of assorted stones. They immediately scheduled her for surgery the next day, and she underwent a laproscopic excision of the nasty bladder. She remained in the hospital until this past Friday (almost a week), and though she is at home now, she says she feels quite weak and not very hungry.
When she and I spoke, she said she'd never felt pain like that in her life. I commiserated with her. I had serious 3 a.m. gall bladder attacks for years until the day mine was removed via emergency surgery in 1984. Unluckily for me, they hadn't invented the laproscope back then. Thus, they sliced a big incision down my right side. OOOOOGLY thing, a forever reminder of what it took to get rid of that awful pain. For me, the aftermath of surgery was peace, and a strong desire to ingest every fatty food I could get my hands on to 'test the waters'.
We talked with Imazo last evening, and we are praying that she takes care of herself and that her family and friends continue to look out for her. We'd love for her to come to AZ to stay awhile and recuperate.
Moving to a totally different topic, I am moving to an office TWICE the size of my present one, which I've occupied since arriving at the Coronado National Forest in August 03. Vern and I packed up my papers/stuff yesterday; the movers are coming Monday. The Forest is moving several folks around to better align staff with others in their same department and to reduce our human footprint in the Federal building that we occupy. This cuts down on the payments we make to GSA, who manages the building.
Today, Vern had to work a 2 a.m. to 10 a.m. shift to cover vacationing staff on graveyards. At the moment, he should be having the oil changed in his truck, after which he'll be home to enter dreamland for a few hours.
This week was Spring Break for Steven, but he spent it working at the restaurant, getting in some additional time to help pay the bills. I did our taxes and his, and he will be getting almost $8000 returned, since he qualified for a $7500 "first-time homebuyer credit", which is a no interest loan from the Fed treasury. He has to pay it back annually for 15 years with his Fed'l tax return. Just his luck, right after he bought the home, a new program was emplaced to provide first time homebuyers with an $8000 tax credit, no repayment needed. Suxxx, huh.
Steven is on schedule to complete all his credits for a B. A. in Design Studies this semester. If all goes well, he'll graduate on May 16. He says he's glad to have a break in college, but has not ruled out returning for a master's degree. We are keeping our eyes on opportunities with the Fed'l gov't in the PHX area. Because his GPA is over 3.0, he qualifies for entry-level jobs with the Fed'l gov't as an outstanding scholar. Let's hope and pray for an opportunity to bless him.
My fingers are now tired from all the typing. So glad I don't maintain this blog daily. On a final note, today i'm making Liver and Onions for supper, baking some cranberry-nut bread, doing neverending housework.....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. What a drag...........
Love and peace to all my peeps,
a
Catching up since December will require some serious memory retrieval, but since it's long(er) term that remembering what I had for breakfast, I'm confident all will be recollected just fine.
January of this year was chaotic. David's Dad, Hugh, went downhill fast, health-wise. By mid-January, he was in St. Mary's Hospital in Knoxville, having been admitted following a routine trip for a medical appointment. He had a "spell" in the hospital van that had picked him up at his residence to transport him to his appointment. The spell was soon diagnosed as a heart attack. He spent a week in the hospital, during which time he was pumped full of Lasix, a drug that lessens edema, til they could pump no higher dose within acceptable health limits.
When we visited TN in December, Hugh's legs were immense, Alley-Oop-like, and he couldn't walk 10 steps with a walker without pausing to catch his breath and to ease the pain of walking on them. I understand from kin that, while in the hospital, his stomach, arms and hands ballooned, and Imazo, my mother-in-law, removed his wedding ring to ensure that it wouldn't have to be excised from his finger down the road.
Hugh was in the hospital about 5 days when the doctor's released him to return home to "hospice" care, an indication of the gravity of his condition. He returned home to a hospital bed with a window view on Wednesday, and within 24 hours on Thursday, he passed away from a fatal heart attack. My brother-in-law Jeff attempted resuscitation, but was unsuccessful. We pray that all his suffering vanished with the ascension of his soul.
Fortunately, before Hugh died, I had secured a flight for David (Vern) to Knoxville that Saturday. I had to scurry to find flights for myself and Steven to attend the funeral. Steven flew out of Phoenix, and we flew from Tucson. Initially, Vern's trip was to be a visit with his dying Dad, and it was to last from Saturday to Saturday. Instead, it became a much sadder excursion, but it did allow him time to spend with Imazo, pre- and post-funeral.
Steven and the rest of Hugh's grandsons (there are no granddaughters) were pall bearers. It was cold and rainy (what else is new?) in Knoxville, fit weather for such a sad occasion.
Although I was barely in Knoxville for 2.5 days, David and I managed to drive to Cade's Cove in the Smoky Mtns. to enjoy the albeit soggy scenery and foraging wildlife. It was surreal as we rode around the 11-mile cove loop. More grazing deer than we'd ever, in all our years in TN, enjoyed on our trips to the mountains. A 6-point buck jumped a fence on the right side of the road, stood to the left of our car and grazed a bit on some tasty grass on the edge of the road, then jumped the left fence to continue his supper in that pasture. Wow! Our kingdom for a camera!!
I returned to AZ on Tuesday while Vern stayed on. Steven flew home Monday, because school had just commenced at ASU. He had a great flight with a whole seat to himself to lie down and rest.
I had a rain delay and was packed like a sardine into a window seat, where I had to hold my water for 4.5 hours while a German lady in the middle seat snoozed on her tray table. I didn't want to piss her off by awakening her. I squirmed a lot (no leg room) and read a new non-fiction book I'd bought in Knoxville, "The Well-Dressed Ape". It relates the similarities/disimilarities between the human species and the rest of the animal kingdom. While it's a great book, it could not succeed in tricking my brain to forget about my bladder. When we arrived in Tucson, I pushed and shoved and scratched and bit til I reached relief on the porcelain throne.
Back in Tucson, I basked in the sunny glow of Arizona winter, enjoying the 80-degree weather and ragging on Vern every time we talked.
Unfortunately, Bozhe eavesdropped on my braggadocio, promptly reminding me to be humble by bestowing a nasty cold on me. I hadn't had a sore throat in 10 years out West, but this one was a doozy. With a head full of snot and lungs corroded with something similar, I was out of work for a week. Took well into February til I felt any relief.
February was relatively uneventful. We purchased some trees and potting posies, which are now gracing the patio as added color. Vern planted two fig trees among the flagstone beyond the pool deck. We also bought a windmill palm that he put in at the other end of the pool. After we traveled to San Diego at the end of February to see my endocrinologist at Scripps, we stopped in Yuma and dug up some volunteer palms along the farm roads. He planted them next to the small koi pond (minus koi) and fountain we have to the left of the patio. Then, he planted a honeysuckle and jasmine to climb up the patio trellis and two crepe myrtles next to the pool fence in front of the patio. Fingers crossed, all will endure and prosper.
On our return from San Diego, we made a side trip to Algodones, a small village in Mexico 6 miles west of Yuma. There, we procured a bunch of very low cost medicine for a total of $30. Bless his heart, Vern waited in line to go thru customs for an hour, on foot. The place was rampant with snowbirds, stocking up for their Winnebago trips back to WA, ID, MT, OR, and Canada. We ate at a favorite haunt in Yuma, Ronnie's Pizza, before returning to Tucson. Ronnie is from Philly and makes me homesick with his thin-crust monster pies! YUMMM-O!
We're into March now, and with it has come more illness. Vern's mom became ill last weekend and Jeff took her to St. Mary's emergency room, where they diagnosed a gall bladder bloated with 81 years worth of assorted stones. They immediately scheduled her for surgery the next day, and she underwent a laproscopic excision of the nasty bladder. She remained in the hospital until this past Friday (almost a week), and though she is at home now, she says she feels quite weak and not very hungry.
When she and I spoke, she said she'd never felt pain like that in her life. I commiserated with her. I had serious 3 a.m. gall bladder attacks for years until the day mine was removed via emergency surgery in 1984. Unluckily for me, they hadn't invented the laproscope back then. Thus, they sliced a big incision down my right side. OOOOOGLY thing, a forever reminder of what it took to get rid of that awful pain. For me, the aftermath of surgery was peace, and a strong desire to ingest every fatty food I could get my hands on to 'test the waters'.
We talked with Imazo last evening, and we are praying that she takes care of herself and that her family and friends continue to look out for her. We'd love for her to come to AZ to stay awhile and recuperate.
Moving to a totally different topic, I am moving to an office TWICE the size of my present one, which I've occupied since arriving at the Coronado National Forest in August 03. Vern and I packed up my papers/stuff yesterday; the movers are coming Monday. The Forest is moving several folks around to better align staff with others in their same department and to reduce our human footprint in the Federal building that we occupy. This cuts down on the payments we make to GSA, who manages the building.
Today, Vern had to work a 2 a.m. to 10 a.m. shift to cover vacationing staff on graveyards. At the moment, he should be having the oil changed in his truck, after which he'll be home to enter dreamland for a few hours.
This week was Spring Break for Steven, but he spent it working at the restaurant, getting in some additional time to help pay the bills. I did our taxes and his, and he will be getting almost $8000 returned, since he qualified for a $7500 "first-time homebuyer credit", which is a no interest loan from the Fed treasury. He has to pay it back annually for 15 years with his Fed'l tax return. Just his luck, right after he bought the home, a new program was emplaced to provide first time homebuyers with an $8000 tax credit, no repayment needed. Suxxx, huh.
Steven is on schedule to complete all his credits for a B. A. in Design Studies this semester. If all goes well, he'll graduate on May 16. He says he's glad to have a break in college, but has not ruled out returning for a master's degree. We are keeping our eyes on opportunities with the Fed'l gov't in the PHX area. Because his GPA is over 3.0, he qualifies for entry-level jobs with the Fed'l gov't as an outstanding scholar. Let's hope and pray for an opportunity to bless him.
My fingers are now tired from all the typing. So glad I don't maintain this blog daily. On a final note, today i'm making Liver and Onions for supper, baking some cranberry-nut bread, doing neverending housework.....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. What a drag...........
Love and peace to all my peeps,
a
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Into The Darkness? Not moi......
For anyone who cares, my excuse for the lapse in posting is being "off for the holidays".
We have a new President about to be inaugurated, and my heart is singing and dancing with optimism. Over many decades of life, I've seen the ebbs and flows of good and bad economic conditions, peace and war, high times and high unemployment. I've never, however, observed such pervasive public depression as I do today.
The immediacy of the internet combined with the advanced technological state of U.S. media inflate the gloom, doom, and apocalyptic predictions that inundate us. To remain somewhat distant from this woe, I don't watch the dire news on TV or listen to it on radio, and I keep my nose to the grindstone, not acknowledging the worst until it actually happens. Our elder generation of Americans have lived our future in their past. Knowing what transpired during the Great Depression, I pray not only for me and mine, but for all who are increasingly affected by misgovernment and misdeeds.
Instead of wallowing in the darkness, I choose to count my blessings every day.
I am employed, David is employed, Steven is employed. We are healthy, but not wealthy, and moderately wise.
David (aka Vern) and I made a quick trip to TN in mid-December to visit his kin for the holidays. His Dad has been in declining health because of kidney failure related to congestive heart disease. His mobility is extremely compromised. We hope that medical science will be able to ease his suffering with dialysis in the near future. It was therapeutic, especially for David, to spend quality time with his parents and his aunts, uncles and brother and family.
Steven continues to progress toward his Bachelor's degree from AZ State this spring. He is on the Dean's list for the Fall 08 semester and quite enjoys working full time as a sushi chef. He is immersed in cosmetic remodeling of the inside of his newly purchased home in Tempe, where he is landlord to 2 roommates.
Holidays were quiet. Steven visited us for an overnight and Christmas dinner of Big Bird. My sister sent us some kielbasi and pierogi from a Chicago deli. My God, I was in heaven! Every time I opened the fridge, the smell of garlic wafted up and stimulated my senses until I had to grab a quick bite! In no time at all, three lbs of kielbasi bit the dust. I let Vern have a few pieces, but he didn't stand a chance with me being home during the day over the holidays. Gifts to ourselves this year included a backyard greenhouse for me, a future flat-screen TV for Vern (when our present one kicks the bucket), and a stainless steel stove exhaust hood for Steven's new home.
The weather is always lovely this season in Tucson, and each glorious day of sunshine and warmth invigorates my spirit. I'm anxiously awaiting the burst of spring wildflowers and increasingly longer days. Bad karma on me, I watch the Weather Channel and secretly giggle upon viewing subfreezing temperatures, ice, and snow in other parts of the U.S. I know...I know....two steps backward on the stairway to heaven for such gloating.
On a sad note, my good friend Patty in Tennessee lost her mother suddenly on January 3. The pain of such loss is immeasurable. My heart and prayers go out to her and her family.
Until I have another original thought, I wish blessings on all who read this.
We have a new President about to be inaugurated, and my heart is singing and dancing with optimism. Over many decades of life, I've seen the ebbs and flows of good and bad economic conditions, peace and war, high times and high unemployment. I've never, however, observed such pervasive public depression as I do today.
The immediacy of the internet combined with the advanced technological state of U.S. media inflate the gloom, doom, and apocalyptic predictions that inundate us. To remain somewhat distant from this woe, I don't watch the dire news on TV or listen to it on radio, and I keep my nose to the grindstone, not acknowledging the worst until it actually happens. Our elder generation of Americans have lived our future in their past. Knowing what transpired during the Great Depression, I pray not only for me and mine, but for all who are increasingly affected by misgovernment and misdeeds.
Instead of wallowing in the darkness, I choose to count my blessings every day.
I am employed, David is employed, Steven is employed. We are healthy, but not wealthy, and moderately wise.
David (aka Vern) and I made a quick trip to TN in mid-December to visit his kin for the holidays. His Dad has been in declining health because of kidney failure related to congestive heart disease. His mobility is extremely compromised. We hope that medical science will be able to ease his suffering with dialysis in the near future. It was therapeutic, especially for David, to spend quality time with his parents and his aunts, uncles and brother and family.
Steven continues to progress toward his Bachelor's degree from AZ State this spring. He is on the Dean's list for the Fall 08 semester and quite enjoys working full time as a sushi chef. He is immersed in cosmetic remodeling of the inside of his newly purchased home in Tempe, where he is landlord to 2 roommates.
Holidays were quiet. Steven visited us for an overnight and Christmas dinner of Big Bird. My sister sent us some kielbasi and pierogi from a Chicago deli. My God, I was in heaven! Every time I opened the fridge, the smell of garlic wafted up and stimulated my senses until I had to grab a quick bite! In no time at all, three lbs of kielbasi bit the dust. I let Vern have a few pieces, but he didn't stand a chance with me being home during the day over the holidays. Gifts to ourselves this year included a backyard greenhouse for me, a future flat-screen TV for Vern (when our present one kicks the bucket), and a stainless steel stove exhaust hood for Steven's new home.
The weather is always lovely this season in Tucson, and each glorious day of sunshine and warmth invigorates my spirit. I'm anxiously awaiting the burst of spring wildflowers and increasingly longer days. Bad karma on me, I watch the Weather Channel and secretly giggle upon viewing subfreezing temperatures, ice, and snow in other parts of the U.S. I know...I know....two steps backward on the stairway to heaven for such gloating.
On a sad note, my good friend Patty in Tennessee lost her mother suddenly on January 3. The pain of such loss is immeasurable. My heart and prayers go out to her and her family.
Until I have another original thought, I wish blessings on all who read this.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
EDWIN STARR: War! What Is It Good For? (Absolutely Nothing!!)
Can you believe it?
I'm going to post again.....is the sky falling, Chicken Little? is it snowing in the desert? Has Sarah Palin become qualified to potentially govern our nation of 300 million people rather than a measly 650,000 citizens, predominantly oil workers and Inuits, in Alaska?
I have always not liked politics very much. Who could really get into it when you grow up watching multiple politically motivated assassinations within a decade, wars fought against an ideology (communism), money spent going to the moon rather than helping the disenfranchised at home?
In the recent past, the only politician who captured my attention was Bill Clinton. I am impressed by eloquent and articulate speakers like Bill, however, NOT without consideration for what they are saying. Mostly, like many boomers, I was attracted to Bill's youth and down-to-earth demeanor. Not an old fart, not a rich Ivy League blowhard, but a down-home guy with a silver tongue.
And on the edge of another reality, I liked the John McCain who used to be...the one who marched to the beat of his own drum. I sooooo respect his strength of conviction while a POW in Hanoi. An American hero he is and was, but our powers that be did not regale him in the ilk of an Eisenhower or Patton. While McCain sacrificed his health and physical being and was acknowledged with military honors for such, he was never elevated to the high priesthood of those whose intellectual abilities won wars.
I believe wars are the Achilles heel of mankind. We've got a wonderful planet to occupy and an omnipresent sun that allows plants to photosynthesize to support life. Why can't humans be content with what they have and leave other humans to cultivate their own gardens? Did God punk us with an innate desire to ultimate destroy all humanity in His name?
The Viet Nam years sculpted my "passive activism" toward the injustices that gov'ts impose upon their citizens when they justify "war".
During the escalation of VN, I watched as my male friends sweated the Federal number plucking that decided their fate. Low number, on the chopping block....high number, make a novena for the rest of your life.
My ex-husband enjoyed a deferment due to a heart murmur. One of my classmates in college got a deferment because he was allergic to wool. Another joined the Marine Corps band to blow on the baritone horn rather than wade thru the rice paddies. My brother-in-law joined the National Guard, at a time when those folks rarely served even one term of duty overseas. Others went and were never the same again. Had I had 'cojones' during the draft years, i'd have been shoveling manure on a farm in Saskatchewan.
Because of his tours in VN, one of my high school mates, a talented athlete, has not known even a nanosecond of the quality of life that I and other mates have experienced as we head into our 60s. He has resided for many years in a nursing home in PA after decades of wandering the streets of Wyoming Valley in a green military trench coat, regardless of ambient temperature and season, speaking in tongues that not even God could interpret.
None who went to Korea, VN, Iraq I, Iraq II and Afghanistan came or will come home to the hero's welcome that we recall watching on the news films made in NY City when WWII ended. Instead, today's military heroes (i.e., every one who serves) arrive home not to the resounding joy that characterized the end of WWII, but with limbs missing, brain cells addled, joy lost... and to date about 5000 who are silent forevermore. Something's VERY wrong with this picture.
Yes, Nancy Grace remembers a fallen hero during each of her broadcasts. (You go, girl.) And local morning, noon, and evening news shows across America pay isolated tribute to the fallen or incapacitated servicemen who are known among their audience. Don't our soldiers merit a much more impressive THANK YOU for their toils and sacrifice? Why hasn't our vacuous President, who is on a first-name basis with Christ, been more vocal and visible when our soldiers return to US soil. Is it because he knows that those of them who are still able to draw a breath and/or walk or hold a cup of coffee are going to be sent back to harm's way?
I believe that President Bush has a heart, and that he no doubt grieves personally for lives lost and disrupted by the Iraq war.
But I'm tired.
Tired of my leaders sending my homies to fight in distant lands whose names we often can't pronounce in order to "engage terrorists on their own turf". I respect Gov. Palin for her courageous support of her eldest son as he departed US soil for Iraq. Ditto for Senator Joe Biden. I pray their loved ones remain safe. But I honestly think they should never have had to go there in the first place.
And so, I've decide to support the candidate who wants to bring them home soon...the same candidate who wants to talk diplomatically rather than impulsively whack someone of a different religion, skin color, ideology, sexual orientation, etc. with the big stick he carries.
I wish i could feel better now that i've vented. Perhaps a dreamless nap will get me thru the next few hours. Thanks for listening.
Love and peace to all.
a
I'm going to post again.....is the sky falling, Chicken Little? is it snowing in the desert? Has Sarah Palin become qualified to potentially govern our nation of 300 million people rather than a measly 650,000 citizens, predominantly oil workers and Inuits, in Alaska?
I have always not liked politics very much. Who could really get into it when you grow up watching multiple politically motivated assassinations within a decade, wars fought against an ideology (communism), money spent going to the moon rather than helping the disenfranchised at home?
In the recent past, the only politician who captured my attention was Bill Clinton. I am impressed by eloquent and articulate speakers like Bill, however, NOT without consideration for what they are saying. Mostly, like many boomers, I was attracted to Bill's youth and down-to-earth demeanor. Not an old fart, not a rich Ivy League blowhard, but a down-home guy with a silver tongue.
And on the edge of another reality, I liked the John McCain who used to be...the one who marched to the beat of his own drum. I sooooo respect his strength of conviction while a POW in Hanoi. An American hero he is and was, but our powers that be did not regale him in the ilk of an Eisenhower or Patton. While McCain sacrificed his health and physical being and was acknowledged with military honors for such, he was never elevated to the high priesthood of those whose intellectual abilities won wars.
I believe wars are the Achilles heel of mankind. We've got a wonderful planet to occupy and an omnipresent sun that allows plants to photosynthesize to support life. Why can't humans be content with what they have and leave other humans to cultivate their own gardens? Did God punk us with an innate desire to ultimate destroy all humanity in His name?
The Viet Nam years sculpted my "passive activism" toward the injustices that gov'ts impose upon their citizens when they justify "war".
During the escalation of VN, I watched as my male friends sweated the Federal number plucking that decided their fate. Low number, on the chopping block....high number, make a novena for the rest of your life.
My ex-husband enjoyed a deferment due to a heart murmur. One of my classmates in college got a deferment because he was allergic to wool. Another joined the Marine Corps band to blow on the baritone horn rather than wade thru the rice paddies. My brother-in-law joined the National Guard, at a time when those folks rarely served even one term of duty overseas. Others went and were never the same again. Had I had 'cojones' during the draft years, i'd have been shoveling manure on a farm in Saskatchewan.
Because of his tours in VN, one of my high school mates, a talented athlete, has not known even a nanosecond of the quality of life that I and other mates have experienced as we head into our 60s. He has resided for many years in a nursing home in PA after decades of wandering the streets of Wyoming Valley in a green military trench coat, regardless of ambient temperature and season, speaking in tongues that not even God could interpret.
None who went to Korea, VN, Iraq I, Iraq II and Afghanistan came or will come home to the hero's welcome that we recall watching on the news films made in NY City when WWII ended. Instead, today's military heroes (i.e., every one who serves) arrive home not to the resounding joy that characterized the end of WWII, but with limbs missing, brain cells addled, joy lost... and to date about 5000 who are silent forevermore. Something's VERY wrong with this picture.
Yes, Nancy Grace remembers a fallen hero during each of her broadcasts. (You go, girl.) And local morning, noon, and evening news shows across America pay isolated tribute to the fallen or incapacitated servicemen who are known among their audience. Don't our soldiers merit a much more impressive THANK YOU for their toils and sacrifice? Why hasn't our vacuous President, who is on a first-name basis with Christ, been more vocal and visible when our soldiers return to US soil. Is it because he knows that those of them who are still able to draw a breath and/or walk or hold a cup of coffee are going to be sent back to harm's way?
I believe that President Bush has a heart, and that he no doubt grieves personally for lives lost and disrupted by the Iraq war.
But I'm tired.
Tired of my leaders sending my homies to fight in distant lands whose names we often can't pronounce in order to "engage terrorists on their own turf". I respect Gov. Palin for her courageous support of her eldest son as he departed US soil for Iraq. Ditto for Senator Joe Biden. I pray their loved ones remain safe. But I honestly think they should never have had to go there in the first place.
And so, I've decide to support the candidate who wants to bring them home soon...the same candidate who wants to talk diplomatically rather than impulsively whack someone of a different religion, skin color, ideology, sexual orientation, etc. with the big stick he carries.
I wish i could feel better now that i've vented. Perhaps a dreamless nap will get me thru the next few hours. Thanks for listening.
Love and peace to all.
a
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Part Deux de New York
I promised to recount our visit to Rochester, NY, for my nephew Nicholas' wedding to Alison Schmitt. This is primarily for me to document things that have occurred in the recent past, as the storage sites in my brain are rapidly decreasing in number.
We'll start on the morning after our 3:30 a.m (Wed., 7/23) arrival at Rochester. Of course, we slept into the afternoon. Nick and Alison had a little gift basket in our hotel room....so nowwwwwww, isn't it? i didn't do a damn thing for the folks from outta town who attended my Wedding Numero Uno.
Late Wed p.m., Nick phoned and offered to dine with us at a bistro just across the parking lot from the hotel. It was not a college hangout, but was of the ilk that catered to youth. Lotsa tv's turned to sports and other stuff, huge bar, and the roar of lotsa folks chatting. We ate a lovely meal and toasted a few times to the groom. His bride arrived later, and we toasted her as well. Steven and I drank a bottle of wine toasting.
Our childhood friend and quasi-sistah, Kathleen, arrived on wheels from Wilkes-Barre that evening. We all decided it would be more comfortable to move across the parking lot in a different direction to the Residence Inn, which unlike the Courtyard Marriott, offered breakfast and dinnertime hot snaxxx. So David (aka Vern) scored us two rooms and we moved there asap. (Another reason I wanted to move was the non-compliant guest in the room next to ours who smoked like a chimney.) Steven took off with Nick and Alison, and I have no idea where they went.
Next day, Thurs, 7/24, my sister en familia arrived from Ithaca (about 100 miles southeast). The plan was that we would do a family dinner in Niagara Falls, Ontario, to relive the visit to NF that we did jointly 18 years prior. At the event in 1990, my sistah and I sang with the band playing by the pool (uninvited, there was no karaoke back then)at the hotel where we stayed. Song was "The Happy Wanderer", a German beergarden ditty.
Things have changed quite a bit among the attractions, hotels, etc., but the Canadian Falls remain brilliant. We dined at a posh restaurant overlooking the Falls (spitting distance) on which colored lights gaze at night. Dinner was good, but verrrry expensive. When we'd been to the same place 18 years prior, it was a seafood joint that had mediocre overpriced food and a great view. This time it had very good pricey food and a still-great view.
After dinner, we meandered to the outlook before heading back. Nick, his brothers Peter and Mike, and Steven headed out into the wild night to engage in traditional bachelor party activities. I won't repeat their antics here for fear of the NF, Ont., police reading this and issuing warrants for any or all of them. Suffice it to say, they each looked like crap the next day, all day, thru the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. They had a hotel room in NF, but probably didn't use it til morning thru early afternoon.
When they returned to Rochester, it was for the rehearsal at Alison and Nick's church. I can't recall the church's name, but it was a contemporary structure in a very nice middle class neighborhood with lotsa trees. Afterward, we headed down to the shores of Lake Ontario for a post-rehearsal dinner hosted by my sister and her husband, Mike.
The festivities were held in a Coast Guard Auxillary Bldg sitting aside one of the canals that serves the Port of Rochester. One of Alison's relatives had a power boat, and many of the younger kids in her family enjoyed several rides. Nick is in the auxillary and i think Alison's family is active in it as well.
Jo Anne (Jay), my sister, fed us Cajun chicken, rice, veggies, and shrimp kabobs. The chicken and fixin's were catered by a local restaurant. Her husband Mike and Alison's father (his name is no longer in my brain) cooked them on a couple onsite grills. Jay did a wonderful job of planning and executing the reception.
After the rehearsal dinner, we retreated to the comfort of our hotel.
The wedding was at 2:30 pm on Saturday, 7/26. As expected, it was simple and lovely. I was one of 3 lay readers....I read a responsorial Psalm. Damn near fell on my way to and from the lectern, cuz I was wearing these black velvet, open-toe stilletos that matched the sparkly black dress that my sister had bought for me to wear. Totally inappropriate for a plump old broad like me.
The music at the wedding ceremony was outstanding. Both Alison and her brother are seasoned musicians and vocalists. Her brother sang a hearty baritone rendition of Ave' Maria.
Reception was at 6 at the local Country Club....a sit down dinner with choice of entree following a free cocktail and hors d'oeuvres hour. They had a dj/karaoke in lieu of a live band. Needless to say, we made fools of ourselves singing and dancing til 12:30 a.m., when the dj ended the party with Frank Sinatra and all of us crooning New York, New York. Steven and his cousin Peter (my sister's youngest) rapped a version of Baby Got Back. My sister and her kids sang Crazy Little Thing Called Love. My niece Natalie soloed on Can't Help Falling in Love. Nat asked the dj to play a CD of Serbian gypsy music, to which the family danced a "kola". It was a great time. My sister feigned wonder during my wild dancing about how quickly I had "recovered" from my bout valley fever. I told her i wasn't recovered, but I had decided that i'd rather have a good time and die, then not party at all.
Next morning (Sunday), we went to a park on Lake Ontario after breakfast at a greasy spoon that Alison's family frequents. I was sooooooooooooooooooooo tired. I have not danced that much for over 25 years. After the park, we drove back to Jay's house in Ithaca. We stopped along the NY Thruway for a light repast at a Sbarro (pizza). Also stopped at a gas station somewhere on the east side of Cayuga Lake for some huge tasty muffins.
Stayed in Ithaca Sunday night and Monday night. I crashed as soon as we got there (8 p.m.....the partying caught up with me). Over the next few days, Jay and Mike hauled us around to various points of interest. We went to an Indian restaurant for lunch. All Vern had on his plate was lettuce and tomato. It was a buffet of mystery dishes, and he's not a very adventurous eater. Jay asked them to bring him some tandoori (spicy) roast chicken, which, thankfully, he ate.
Mike drove us back to Rochester on Tuesday afternoon for our connecting flight to JFK en route to PHX. It was not nearly as draining as the TO: ROC flight. Still, we learned that flying JETBLUE thru JFK suxxxx big time. Our flight from ROC was on time, but we circled over the tri-state area for awhile due to heavy traffic. Everything was cool with our next flight to PHX until we got in line on the runway. There we sat for a couple hours waiting on airport staff to clear a disabled plane from a runway. While we were waiting, i had to use the potty. Steven had moved from the center seat next to me to an aisle seat in front of me. As I passed his seat, he grumbled at me "I hate you for scheduling these flights." Thank you very much, my son.
The plane eventually took off, and despite a head wind, we flew at almost 600 mph to make it to PHX about 1/2 late at 11 pm. Steven's friend Alan picked us up and deposited us back at the condo where he lives. We, then, drove back to TUS, arriving around 2 a.m. Another exhausting trip.
Vern had to work the next day, but i stayed home to rest. I have no idea how he made it thru the day. Sometimes i think the man sleeps with his eyes open.
Anyway, that's the end of our story. Nick and Ali left the following Friday for a 2-week honeymoon in Germany. Someone in her family gave them a week at a German resort as a gift, and then they planned to stay with some of her kin in Germany.
They as well as we have since settled down to our normal routines.
Catching up on other non-events in my life, V and I drove to San Diego a few weeks ago for my biannual endocrinology appointment. Results of blood tests were unsurprising. My blood glucose is maintaining an average of 134, which is a bit higher than normal (doctor's words), but not noteworthy.
I had a chest x-ray as well to check on the valley fever. The radiologist reported the nodule in my right lung to be 1.1 cm x 0.9 cm, which is where it was back in June as I recovered from the valley fever. I need to follow up w/ the pulmonary specialist in TUS about whether or not a CT scan is necessary.
It was very warm and breezy in San Diego, and we enjoyed one night at our favorite haunt, the Pacific Terrace Hotel. We had a terrace room. Left the sliding door screen open all night (locked of course)so we could listen to the surf. Verrrry relaxing. I wish i was rich and could do this more often.
Speaking of rich, I'm $8K poorer thanks to the economy tanking. My gov't 401K dwindled with every fall of a bank or mortgage lender etc. Steven managed to get his mortgage completed by 9/30. Ended up not costing him a dime to buy his house!
Time for a nap-ki for me. V is already in la-la land.
Adios, mi amigos y amigas.
Vaya con Dios.
a
We'll start on the morning after our 3:30 a.m (Wed., 7/23) arrival at Rochester. Of course, we slept into the afternoon. Nick and Alison had a little gift basket in our hotel room....so nowwwwwww, isn't it? i didn't do a damn thing for the folks from outta town who attended my Wedding Numero Uno.
Late Wed p.m., Nick phoned and offered to dine with us at a bistro just across the parking lot from the hotel. It was not a college hangout, but was of the ilk that catered to youth. Lotsa tv's turned to sports and other stuff, huge bar, and the roar of lotsa folks chatting. We ate a lovely meal and toasted a few times to the groom. His bride arrived later, and we toasted her as well. Steven and I drank a bottle of wine toasting.
Our childhood friend and quasi-sistah, Kathleen, arrived on wheels from Wilkes-Barre that evening. We all decided it would be more comfortable to move across the parking lot in a different direction to the Residence Inn, which unlike the Courtyard Marriott, offered breakfast and dinnertime hot snaxxx. So David (aka Vern) scored us two rooms and we moved there asap. (Another reason I wanted to move was the non-compliant guest in the room next to ours who smoked like a chimney.) Steven took off with Nick and Alison, and I have no idea where they went.
Next day, Thurs, 7/24, my sister en familia arrived from Ithaca (about 100 miles southeast). The plan was that we would do a family dinner in Niagara Falls, Ontario, to relive the visit to NF that we did jointly 18 years prior. At the event in 1990, my sistah and I sang with the band playing by the pool (uninvited, there was no karaoke back then)at the hotel where we stayed. Song was "The Happy Wanderer", a German beergarden ditty.
Things have changed quite a bit among the attractions, hotels, etc., but the Canadian Falls remain brilliant. We dined at a posh restaurant overlooking the Falls (spitting distance) on which colored lights gaze at night. Dinner was good, but verrrry expensive. When we'd been to the same place 18 years prior, it was a seafood joint that had mediocre overpriced food and a great view. This time it had very good pricey food and a still-great view.
After dinner, we meandered to the outlook before heading back. Nick, his brothers Peter and Mike, and Steven headed out into the wild night to engage in traditional bachelor party activities. I won't repeat their antics here for fear of the NF, Ont., police reading this and issuing warrants for any or all of them. Suffice it to say, they each looked like crap the next day, all day, thru the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. They had a hotel room in NF, but probably didn't use it til morning thru early afternoon.
When they returned to Rochester, it was for the rehearsal at Alison and Nick's church. I can't recall the church's name, but it was a contemporary structure in a very nice middle class neighborhood with lotsa trees. Afterward, we headed down to the shores of Lake Ontario for a post-rehearsal dinner hosted by my sister and her husband, Mike.
The festivities were held in a Coast Guard Auxillary Bldg sitting aside one of the canals that serves the Port of Rochester. One of Alison's relatives had a power boat, and many of the younger kids in her family enjoyed several rides. Nick is in the auxillary and i think Alison's family is active in it as well.
Jo Anne (Jay), my sister, fed us Cajun chicken, rice, veggies, and shrimp kabobs. The chicken and fixin's were catered by a local restaurant. Her husband Mike and Alison's father (his name is no longer in my brain) cooked them on a couple onsite grills. Jay did a wonderful job of planning and executing the reception.
After the rehearsal dinner, we retreated to the comfort of our hotel.
The wedding was at 2:30 pm on Saturday, 7/26. As expected, it was simple and lovely. I was one of 3 lay readers....I read a responsorial Psalm. Damn near fell on my way to and from the lectern, cuz I was wearing these black velvet, open-toe stilletos that matched the sparkly black dress that my sister had bought for me to wear. Totally inappropriate for a plump old broad like me.
The music at the wedding ceremony was outstanding. Both Alison and her brother are seasoned musicians and vocalists. Her brother sang a hearty baritone rendition of Ave' Maria.
Reception was at 6 at the local Country Club....a sit down dinner with choice of entree following a free cocktail and hors d'oeuvres hour. They had a dj/karaoke in lieu of a live band. Needless to say, we made fools of ourselves singing and dancing til 12:30 a.m., when the dj ended the party with Frank Sinatra and all of us crooning New York, New York. Steven and his cousin Peter (my sister's youngest) rapped a version of Baby Got Back. My sister and her kids sang Crazy Little Thing Called Love. My niece Natalie soloed on Can't Help Falling in Love. Nat asked the dj to play a CD of Serbian gypsy music, to which the family danced a "kola". It was a great time. My sister feigned wonder during my wild dancing about how quickly I had "recovered" from my bout valley fever. I told her i wasn't recovered, but I had decided that i'd rather have a good time and die, then not party at all.
Next morning (Sunday), we went to a park on Lake Ontario after breakfast at a greasy spoon that Alison's family frequents. I was sooooooooooooooooooooo tired. I have not danced that much for over 25 years. After the park, we drove back to Jay's house in Ithaca. We stopped along the NY Thruway for a light repast at a Sbarro (pizza). Also stopped at a gas station somewhere on the east side of Cayuga Lake for some huge tasty muffins.
Stayed in Ithaca Sunday night and Monday night. I crashed as soon as we got there (8 p.m.....the partying caught up with me). Over the next few days, Jay and Mike hauled us around to various points of interest. We went to an Indian restaurant for lunch. All Vern had on his plate was lettuce and tomato. It was a buffet of mystery dishes, and he's not a very adventurous eater. Jay asked them to bring him some tandoori (spicy) roast chicken, which, thankfully, he ate.
Mike drove us back to Rochester on Tuesday afternoon for our connecting flight to JFK en route to PHX. It was not nearly as draining as the TO: ROC flight. Still, we learned that flying JETBLUE thru JFK suxxxx big time. Our flight from ROC was on time, but we circled over the tri-state area for awhile due to heavy traffic. Everything was cool with our next flight to PHX until we got in line on the runway. There we sat for a couple hours waiting on airport staff to clear a disabled plane from a runway. While we were waiting, i had to use the potty. Steven had moved from the center seat next to me to an aisle seat in front of me. As I passed his seat, he grumbled at me "I hate you for scheduling these flights." Thank you very much, my son.
The plane eventually took off, and despite a head wind, we flew at almost 600 mph to make it to PHX about 1/2 late at 11 pm. Steven's friend Alan picked us up and deposited us back at the condo where he lives. We, then, drove back to TUS, arriving around 2 a.m. Another exhausting trip.
Vern had to work the next day, but i stayed home to rest. I have no idea how he made it thru the day. Sometimes i think the man sleeps with his eyes open.
Anyway, that's the end of our story. Nick and Ali left the following Friday for a 2-week honeymoon in Germany. Someone in her family gave them a week at a German resort as a gift, and then they planned to stay with some of her kin in Germany.
They as well as we have since settled down to our normal routines.
Catching up on other non-events in my life, V and I drove to San Diego a few weeks ago for my biannual endocrinology appointment. Results of blood tests were unsurprising. My blood glucose is maintaining an average of 134, which is a bit higher than normal (doctor's words), but not noteworthy.
I had a chest x-ray as well to check on the valley fever. The radiologist reported the nodule in my right lung to be 1.1 cm x 0.9 cm, which is where it was back in June as I recovered from the valley fever. I need to follow up w/ the pulmonary specialist in TUS about whether or not a CT scan is necessary.
It was very warm and breezy in San Diego, and we enjoyed one night at our favorite haunt, the Pacific Terrace Hotel. We had a terrace room. Left the sliding door screen open all night (locked of course)so we could listen to the surf. Verrrry relaxing. I wish i was rich and could do this more often.
Speaking of rich, I'm $8K poorer thanks to the economy tanking. My gov't 401K dwindled with every fall of a bank or mortgage lender etc. Steven managed to get his mortgage completed by 9/30. Ended up not costing him a dime to buy his house!
Time for a nap-ki for me. V is already in la-la land.
Adios, mi amigos y amigas.
Vaya con Dios.
a
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