tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2788454649083911682024-03-13T00:48:39.096-04:00We all float down hereThis, that, and the other...mostly.
Comments welcome.KYLadyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386201292445132711noreply@blogger.comBlogger614125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-278845464908391168.post-10822558305862439422024-01-01T19:57:00.000-05:002024-01-01T19:57:01.009-05:00Inspired<p> I should be working: menial tasks of cleaning around the house,
grading papers for University #1, course developing for University #2, more
decluttering and organizing work, etc., etc., ad nauseum. Plainly said with emphasis, <b>I don’t
wanna</b>. Not now, at least.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Today, on this first day of the New Year 2024 (can you
believe it), I gave myself a delightful surprise. When I woke up this morning
(sans alarm), I realized the dogs should go outside before I take a shower and
get ready for the day...Lord knows I have no time for a dog accident to clean
up. With bathrobe and slippers on, I called the dogs to come (which they
usually do gratefully). We have a night light on the stair landing, so I didn’t
turn other lights on. The delightful surprise was that upon reaching the bottom
of the stairs, I realized I’d left the Christmas tree lights on all night.
There was our tree, blazing in glorious colorful lights and shiny ornaments. It
caused me to stop and remember that today is not just another day. I believe
every day should be special like that. It also reminded me of Christmas
mornings when I was a kid. As soon as we woke up, we’d run to the Christmas
tree. It was always lit up with a bunch of presents under it. What a lucky kid
I was!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I’m leaving things decorated until next weekend. Some people
retire their decorations as early as Christmas Day, but people like me (who
decorate in middle of December), are not quite ready to see it all go. Once
Christmas is gone, the dreariness of winter takes over. It’s OK, I’m not a
person who gets depressed in winter. The cold winter can be a wonderful time
for adventure because the snakes are hibernating and it’s easier to see the
poison ivy. The woods can be magical in winter, especially when there are
icicles hanging off the cliffs and there are animal tracks in the snow. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This morning, because I took time to admire our humble tree,
I noted that we have several ornaments of ballet dancers and ballet shoes. When
I was young, tap dancing was my thing…I could write a whole blog post about those
experiences. I was definitely never into ballet, but for some reason, all my
kids wanted to do ballet. Emily, especially, was very good at it. I took the
girls to see The Nutcracker nearly every Christmas. Who couldn’t love the music
and costumes? <o:p></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDnm33ysIYqPTUcha0-y_99eogFTSGpAExCsqcO_RalwofZvCPRHw7SIdtbPdjhxiP32QuVCPL5lQHZ-95qhqXqLSN_6_cqDC5SpTe7rQDTSE2WMyyrFMhB_PlTEYcp9Z6JWBlhWmQaqFVQXqMITXOu4fzIZL7RtojL94cmG7VArIbWzZ656BxqzqVrJh/s4032/IMG_6951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDnm33ysIYqPTUcha0-y_99eogFTSGpAExCsqcO_RalwofZvCPRHw7SIdtbPdjhxiP32QuVCPL5lQHZ-95qhqXqLSN_6_cqDC5SpTe7rQDTSE2WMyyrFMhB_PlTEYcp9Z6JWBlhWmQaqFVQXqMITXOu4fzIZL7RtojL94cmG7VArIbWzZ656BxqzqVrJh/s320/IMG_6951.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJLfBqrP-QCfmJESXe5zdhdH65lIbNseTRgOKtIlrhyphenhyphena1z7hflQ8kBwbKeqTxtByPxVA-5gePSy_hb77u-VJxYpw-PsYg7TvgcelMIV14arP9_e0Z-9cmHhyphenhyphenjhznn0Ykh7PWItS7oQCQ4q4UPDk34IAAIOTOpONBHR3zPjnlRT-21LxMRZ3_fGHAaYYe_9/s4032/IMG_6953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJLfBqrP-QCfmJESXe5zdhdH65lIbNseTRgOKtIlrhyphenhyphena1z7hflQ8kBwbKeqTxtByPxVA-5gePSy_hb77u-VJxYpw-PsYg7TvgcelMIV14arP9_e0Z-9cmHhyphenhyphenjhznn0Ykh7PWItS7oQCQ4q4UPDk34IAAIOTOpONBHR3zPjnlRT-21LxMRZ3_fGHAaYYe_9/s320/IMG_6953.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb1WCzqAhTuZYGcO8sA4IT_GpiOCvnOd3-EvXeUL-Wgm7kDeQQI3q09EZPAmZwGxohZTSQlZxgQE_i5L_Qm_bF-GmRTfrWvEVq4o16JPBffrwhfBmhpmq7BGs8sg6VaiwJ9UY3BoYak_OSF4nDh5KFGKnXto5vOtRqmsjI77_3V6-o0mfvzb5PBL8g8h3D/s4032/IMG_6954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb1WCzqAhTuZYGcO8sA4IT_GpiOCvnOd3-EvXeUL-Wgm7kDeQQI3q09EZPAmZwGxohZTSQlZxgQE_i5L_Qm_bF-GmRTfrWvEVq4o16JPBffrwhfBmhpmq7BGs8sg6VaiwJ9UY3BoYak_OSF4nDh5KFGKnXto5vOtRqmsjI77_3V6-o0mfvzb5PBL8g8h3D/s320/IMG_6954.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7P9sDzYKNuzupnywbPVG8Pzmf4JFw5HUCEKJNks5qMjlZxJzzCHJt2Xoc6iK9tPWPqXM8MtmjOyZ0LfYmUdQBcEFnOTECtRpsIHNEp5X9-js-4kgTK2p6DoNNjflEWGI1QF65dBW4PbM0Z1nRvGObQtaKgF_x1lXqgixkX-A54sCEMbFTg5YXTGeYPj7u/s4032/IMG_6955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7P9sDzYKNuzupnywbPVG8Pzmf4JFw5HUCEKJNks5qMjlZxJzzCHJt2Xoc6iK9tPWPqXM8MtmjOyZ0LfYmUdQBcEFnOTECtRpsIHNEp5X9-js-4kgTK2p6DoNNjflEWGI1QF65dBW4PbM0Z1nRvGObQtaKgF_x1lXqgixkX-A54sCEMbFTg5YXTGeYPj7u/s320/IMG_6955.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal">Miss Catherine’s parents took her to see The Nutcracker in
Lexington. There was a shortened performance just for young children, perfect
for Catherine’s first live performing arts experience. In advance of the big
night, Sarah showed her YouTube videos of ballet dancers. She quickly caught on
to the concept of dancing (spinning, leaping, kicking) and ballerina girls. At
the tender age of two, she was completely thrilled by the theater and performance…perhaps
a little bit too thrilled. From what Sarah told me, it sounds like she wanted
to participate rather than sit and watch. Catherine became so disruptive that
they left the theater very early in the first half. Well, that happens with
toddlers. It was an experiment. For Christmas, Santa brough Catherine a leotard
and slippers so that she can pretend to be a ballerina. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4vn5o4kaWp-jv21_1Sxag1Nn6s2adfPPIrdu0Dec3mXS7YWDuA5lezfwY_FB1Rnm8XIcRpNxxJVZoZYObSG7SILOGonLJBXR7mekLiyZfyM3C09REeiSHSDFF_fWbPCypXs3DyiuTSbSpaujZ1JeoyFgArVCBDjFEzpr4HGw_raSgjmINbUpOoNJJz_Zt/s1008/BDTC6679.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="756" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4vn5o4kaWp-jv21_1Sxag1Nn6s2adfPPIrdu0Dec3mXS7YWDuA5lezfwY_FB1Rnm8XIcRpNxxJVZoZYObSG7SILOGonLJBXR7mekLiyZfyM3C09REeiSHSDFF_fWbPCypXs3DyiuTSbSpaujZ1JeoyFgArVCBDjFEzpr4HGw_raSgjmINbUpOoNJJz_Zt/s320/BDTC6679.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal">Catherine might get to
take a pre-school dance class next year. Oh, but it is next year! It’s more accurate
to say that she might get to take a class later this year! <span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji", sans-serif;">😊</span>That
might be a very good way for Sarah to spend time with the new baby while
Catherine is busy learning to make friends, stand in a line, take turns, listen,
and follow instructions. Those are all good things for young children to learn.
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>KYLadyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386201292445132711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-278845464908391168.post-65945725206470807652023-12-28T11:42:00.000-05:002023-12-28T11:42:17.530-05:00Blessed Holiday<p> Christmas 2024 is all but a wrap. Sarah and Catherine, Emily,
and Erin all came home for the holiday. What a treat for this old KY Lady to be
all of us together with my girls for a holiday - that was the best present of
any. I like to leave decorations up until after New Year’s Day. It seems that
people who get things decorated early are ever so speedy to get them all put
away again. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhrJruHZ7YmwDQwT2CWJyZ_HJsbahD4dLDIBNnZ3w9hmWKM7ZVryDEo_1IAwkJm4NBSNmCAcVSo_q3qP___AU1F3JZrptijRpTibZL6023WORVz7n27Gf9jJNYx-Ey6rgU0cFpHtfMmxP_TKu_ZiIT8nh15uKze4ugk-tIjzM1FOj0SV4kvwJwRLesalvY/s4032/IMG_6929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhrJruHZ7YmwDQwT2CWJyZ_HJsbahD4dLDIBNnZ3w9hmWKM7ZVryDEo_1IAwkJm4NBSNmCAcVSo_q3qP___AU1F3JZrptijRpTibZL6023WORVz7n27Gf9jJNYx-Ey6rgU0cFpHtfMmxP_TKu_ZiIT8nh15uKze4ugk-tIjzM1FOj0SV4kvwJwRLesalvY/s320/IMG_6929.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Auntie Em 💖</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8ECONLe_wIrs-oVogcJ2JVmjsMaR10woT64b_uy2dm2LArU2_gnFnmXfEAJiBO-xD9Ghy1If4kRaJ9WMhw_jckn3f1QJhxWwvskw_KEe96IIvStfRZWo5MF0xRRYwlX1xrpa4x2dJ9iKUQtO8PMkcgdMjOmQtJEpNbVrTv9fm4WqSxNLHC4TyWccK308/s4032/IMG_6930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8ECONLe_wIrs-oVogcJ2JVmjsMaR10woT64b_uy2dm2LArU2_gnFnmXfEAJiBO-xD9Ghy1If4kRaJ9WMhw_jckn3f1QJhxWwvskw_KEe96IIvStfRZWo5MF0xRRYwlX1xrpa4x2dJ9iKUQtO8PMkcgdMjOmQtJEpNbVrTv9fm4WqSxNLHC4TyWccK308/s320/IMG_6930.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reading new books in the new tent</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOMcJBqjOasuwGv-LLUhqkkpBq8z3VuSjxljAOkZaPQzLQwW-XrI5_bcv0rMXyHPfXAXCNs7CKwqtdcnW26T_prJ7pjBTgFsM_lN9W6fXt-gfELGk8MqhTOa66oJYl9yNNKr06wzeqKbPxsIJn2nXkD_R-w_YaOjino53z3qd3MSXG2Wx9YWWxrti9ODxa/s4032/IMG_6932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOMcJBqjOasuwGv-LLUhqkkpBq8z3VuSjxljAOkZaPQzLQwW-XrI5_bcv0rMXyHPfXAXCNs7CKwqtdcnW26T_prJ7pjBTgFsM_lN9W6fXt-gfELGk8MqhTOa66oJYl9yNNKr06wzeqKbPxsIJn2nXkD_R-w_YaOjino53z3qd3MSXG2Wx9YWWxrti9ODxa/s320/IMG_6932.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catherine "learning" music from her mommy</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgau7z0skeaUSwUEzfiEnS0_LaTQakEWLFY2KHWRCDuKjUvLaakJV72QKL6TsbOtEqIyENDi7cwvF6DtT-0O3JQt-aO2LUoBabFS_W19drm88tzb5p3Xqv1yvs9WwmumIHLZam-32UcnMvssSb0qYkQ6HUNJuyC-PkI9Tv7UngipDv7gwn2jsRk7UbAEGL5/s4032/IMG_6933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgau7z0skeaUSwUEzfiEnS0_LaTQakEWLFY2KHWRCDuKjUvLaakJV72QKL6TsbOtEqIyENDi7cwvF6DtT-0O3JQt-aO2LUoBabFS_W19drm88tzb5p3Xqv1yvs9WwmumIHLZam-32UcnMvssSb0qYkQ6HUNJuyC-PkI9Tv7UngipDv7gwn2jsRk7UbAEGL5/s320/IMG_6933.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More learning music</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7geAzZICBu_r0E5mA1ecnH9wjsSBfdzgWjP-w_qlVf1HBPr9ARBWFDalRubkDJyCMJFcMUrlVHWJw23WSn0645s2RoPKTKEiCflVSzc4ztA4cxwbhNJPt4QX6WA0rrGCkmCJ_kVYpRDEy9q4XRlpPUrpcjc0HO9I-O85G4KwMdN5_6xmyfUs50nk_B5xb/s4032/IMG_6935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7geAzZICBu_r0E5mA1ecnH9wjsSBfdzgWjP-w_qlVf1HBPr9ARBWFDalRubkDJyCMJFcMUrlVHWJw23WSn0645s2RoPKTKEiCflVSzc4ztA4cxwbhNJPt4QX6WA0rrGCkmCJ_kVYpRDEy9q4XRlpPUrpcjc0HO9I-O85G4KwMdN5_6xmyfUs50nk_B5xb/s320/IMG_6935.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">so many candy canes</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy2AWQ68wnzlGnOqPxevDKUSyOABZvMmwOwafh3LM2DeWWiia3Fd9gxnvh3kmC3krAh9pYA1wfEaW6J32AEQ-GSA9nwNzRsIkLiC8VAhBO-87ppmKEDAD5Lx1xu2WW0rhDZIue3FaiNVAR0TIk7w8rVVWRpIWKyTAm-w21F8hQsKQlQ3uE2jgm1-FeMTCI/s4032/IMG_6937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy2AWQ68wnzlGnOqPxevDKUSyOABZvMmwOwafh3LM2DeWWiia3Fd9gxnvh3kmC3krAh9pYA1wfEaW6J32AEQ-GSA9nwNzRsIkLiC8VAhBO-87ppmKEDAD5Lx1xu2WW0rhDZIue3FaiNVAR0TIk7w8rVVWRpIWKyTAm-w21F8hQsKQlQ3uE2jgm1-FeMTCI/s320/IMG_6937.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Auntie Erin plays on and off with the lights</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLIgOhQTgBAgSwTPchecbB4HcrG-u0qsl7xEqrDCrAeSqFHq4LFCj8GMbq86qq47-VMFaY3RbS7ShJ22St0OpuCS-wi636JdE3AkWjucqowcFK9vU_qkpEhyquU0JbItB2gGiCOsggSigGzVm_eoyCIWwMTwV0JxrKMmjlPeRtFggmBMIduloinX2AlRki/s4032/IMG_6941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLIgOhQTgBAgSwTPchecbB4HcrG-u0qsl7xEqrDCrAeSqFHq4LFCj8GMbq86qq47-VMFaY3RbS7ShJ22St0OpuCS-wi636JdE3AkWjucqowcFK9vU_qkpEhyquU0JbItB2gGiCOsggSigGzVm_eoyCIWwMTwV0JxrKMmjlPeRtFggmBMIduloinX2AlRki/s320/IMG_6941.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Candyland - Catherine knows colors and can count. The concept of board game is not quite there yet. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-zBtofelliE3gwdB3SiZKc3hrIrQTZJ9O4rx-QnGj-vY7vjzw2GBQ54uGbJ4sMRDqldYLwWeZtMDtCcvrVdQiib9vySGPs5ONKJn8bDPBPJK9AVSPshUlmo61LBIzKCLT_gCJMRxxwD0mplUscPBXrDJMTh0QdB1hRZ3B39syRUSp0i6FAuX7FW7Bq1tg/s4032/IMG_6944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-zBtofelliE3gwdB3SiZKc3hrIrQTZJ9O4rx-QnGj-vY7vjzw2GBQ54uGbJ4sMRDqldYLwWeZtMDtCcvrVdQiib9vySGPs5ONKJn8bDPBPJK9AVSPshUlmo61LBIzKCLT_gCJMRxxwD0mplUscPBXrDJMTh0QdB1hRZ3B39syRUSp0i6FAuX7FW7Bq1tg/s320/IMG_6944.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We visited the park to see the lights. Catherine gets a ride.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4o0wFBBKKN3TAU0Btq8AHqPhUHNKKplt9Zq2O6FM3BMwyWqxdmAxzmFsgKrICiqg_pBnQtHu0kgvuSZ9Fw9N_TBOaGYz5zbQmMtfS3n5Cj9KEin7SBn-yrAO7C0DyLLa8VE99Vrl9GegoEfU3YeM4ZZHMe3bzqRmPKrxhakfaVTDu03obgFfdW3YHV7Gp/s4032/IMG_6945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4o0wFBBKKN3TAU0Btq8AHqPhUHNKKplt9Zq2O6FM3BMwyWqxdmAxzmFsgKrICiqg_pBnQtHu0kgvuSZ9Fw9N_TBOaGYz5zbQmMtfS3n5Cj9KEin7SBn-yrAO7C0DyLLa8VE99Vrl9GegoEfU3YeM4ZZHMe3bzqRmPKrxhakfaVTDu03obgFfdW3YHV7Gp/s320/IMG_6945.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catherine loves hot chocolate.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Erin is engaged – she and Tanner made the commitment about a week before Christmas. There is another wedding to be planned, although Emily has most of her planning completed. Emily is a go-get-‘em type of person…can’t say that she inherited that gene from me. I’m a how-much-longer-can-I-procrastinate type of person, mostly.</div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI5zlt7lFqaH4nSh2P6pNsIu9fXP9rHERmibMTQJ11nKzNGbupkogValfQCs06gfFUVQOzpkkXm9iqga52j8PoZgKiR6ftTUKzEnMe1Esw5TXVQ52MiLgsMu6HxznDEAkgc83WIMSlWBqz6mEjsSSxDb2XrEwEklQYUaild7CZejNgORbnYRpEYxXBU-Q4/s4032/IMG_0928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI5zlt7lFqaH4nSh2P6pNsIu9fXP9rHERmibMTQJ11nKzNGbupkogValfQCs06gfFUVQOzpkkXm9iqga52j8PoZgKiR6ftTUKzEnMe1Esw5TXVQ52MiLgsMu6HxznDEAkgc83WIMSlWBqz6mEjsSSxDb2XrEwEklQYUaild7CZejNgORbnYRpEYxXBU-Q4/w320-h240/IMG_0928.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Showing off those beautiful rocks</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p class="MsoNormal">Sarah’s baby belly is getting bigger and rounder (my
excitement is growing as well). The baby is due in early April. The plan is
that I will stay with Miss Catherine during the birth and hang around until
Sarah can manage a baby and toddler without help. Catherine will have to learn
to share her parents’ attention…as all children with siblings do. I remember
all too well when Sarah realized what it meant to have two newborn babies in
the house – she was eight years old when Erin and Emily were born. I was busy
with one baby (or perhaps both…it’s all such a blur) when Sarah said ever so
sadly to me, “You’re just never going to have time to do anything with me
again.” I admitted to her that it was going to be a long while, probably. It
made me feel guilty and sad, but there was no point in lying about it.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Someone starts his physical therapy tomorrow (to recover
from his rotator cuff surgery earlier this month). He survived it, but it’s been
pretty rough for him so far. He will return to work next week if he can drive.
I’ll take him to a vacant parking lot this weekend so he can experiment with
how it will be to drive with only his right arm.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Someone will be recovering, and I will be busy getting
courses ready to open for Spring semester at college #2. College #1 has a
session in progress…I’m still working that job but thinking about leaving that position
this year. The student population has changed a lot since they merged with two
other college systems. Not only that, they keep asking me to do more tasks as
part of my job with absolutely no increase in pay. It’s to the point that it
feels like charity work for the amount of time I’m required to put in. For
college #1, I need to create a course for teaching the basics of Python. I’m
looking forward to this one, but it’s stressful figuring out how to plan things
out. As an experienced IT person and coder, it’s hard for me to gage how
quickly or slowly an inexperienced and average person will learn their first
coding language (not to mention, I’ve never taught a coding language). I will have
to rely on the publisher’s recommendations for this first iteration of the
course. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With the start of January begins the dreariest season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t get me wrong, I love some aspects of
winter. But for me, winter is just the time of anticipating the more desirable seasons.
My focus (so as to distract from the dark dreariness) will be getting more fit
and getting this house in better shape. Lord knows that me and this house are
in great need of vast improvements. Fortunately, the weather can be
delightfully variable in the Ohio River valley. Even in the bleakest winter, we
can occasionally get sunny days with weather in the 50s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hope springs eternal for those days. <o:p></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwI_7TxtuFSZSg0-BVxsI7NigowZt5EZMjUvOwuLQVVrUZ2VsZ8tpd1p_tynFtMetW9jfXH2z7OBBBQh_KErJopOD-UIVy35qmKpGZihC68ono4y-qnKRotYrbuhIgQmbLV5ahlSXoE64fubvnl7D_3uVVUfvi1AWD5kz_hwKMOZQsegdepm0f3P3AtM2/s4032/IMG_6927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwI_7TxtuFSZSg0-BVxsI7NigowZt5EZMjUvOwuLQVVrUZ2VsZ8tpd1p_tynFtMetW9jfXH2z7OBBBQh_KErJopOD-UIVy35qmKpGZihC68ono4y-qnKRotYrbuhIgQmbLV5ahlSXoE64fubvnl7D_3uVVUfvi1AWD5kz_hwKMOZQsegdepm0f3P3AtM2/s320/IMG_6927.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erin loving on our zoo (they don't mind the cold)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>KYLadyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386201292445132711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-278845464908391168.post-51155151293126121172023-12-09T09:35:00.003-05:002023-12-09T09:35:50.548-05:00Death by Pot Roast<p> It has crossed my mind many times over that I could kill
Someone with pot roast. Someone is a
hard-core carnivore in every sense of the word. I like to put a roast in the
crock pot in the morning. Dump in a chunk of meat, onion soup mix, ketchup (or
tomato juice), chopped-up carrots and potatoes, a stalk of celery because it
makes it smell extra good, and use the setting for low heat. It cooks all day
long while the house is empty (except for our sweet dogs). When I come home, I
can smell that wonderful aroma before I even open the door.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Early in our marriage, I learned that Someone always eats in
one meal whatever amount of pot roast that’s cooked. We can have leftover
vegetables, but the meat is never enough that some will be left over for
another day. I even bought a larger crock pot so I could cook larger roasts,
and then it just got ridiculous. Nobody should eat that much meat in one week,
let alone one meal. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Someone is well aware of the fat content in a beef roast. He
doesn’t care. It’s why he runs (he says). He can just eat whatever with no
consequences because he runs. I don’t think it works like that, but what do I
know? At this point, I just make pot roast a few times a year. Of course, it’s
a simple task and Someone could make his own damn pot roast, but in his mind, a
crock pot is a black box device that requires two x chromosomes to divine. <o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_PXupWlS12pu355lF6d6PYxWWNLEiEGBYxitqbT51sm6K-Zqr19P9E6Jhr43Tk38b0091fyJtB_5iC7EVXEDPluFSfdJV_N_i47T0c5I0P8bmNkDfGzOEmYjbIk5ka836BgiZQepiabdDk0OSXoDjd19W0yvHv6KitNnxZOqw4R6XlFnytstvTACCHYvq/s3648/crockpot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_PXupWlS12pu355lF6d6PYxWWNLEiEGBYxitqbT51sm6K-Zqr19P9E6Jhr43Tk38b0091fyJtB_5iC7EVXEDPluFSfdJV_N_i47T0c5I0P8bmNkDfGzOEmYjbIk5ka836BgiZQepiabdDk0OSXoDjd19W0yvHv6KitNnxZOqw4R6XlFnytstvTACCHYvq/s320/crockpot.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal">Someone is about to have rotator cuff surgery (Monday afternoon).
He will not be running again for many weeks. He’s been stressing so much that…I
might have to start drinking again. No, just kidding, but Lord, he’s driving me
crazy with all the stressing out he’s doing. We are very different types of
people, or maybe I’m just better at appearing chill to the outside world when
my inner world is walking a tightrope. Right now, and for the past week, his
entire world is revolving around this surgery and his recovery. For whatever
weird reason, he even took off half this week so that he has extra free time to
worry about it all. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpS6cnLMpvkmaOKqRZh_8vLdDUg9dCeLjZOG3LpMkIGWWaNg-GnOLNz3St3qyR1PxxrkZZszWh3lWcc5e9qd6Y7vby2D16uv9TLoEbZiJcRWsITbJ5huQ_wLmYPeEAnMZghWhY-Dedey-q7A-X1mu9weRRq5OQ359RFyta8W6cnTj_uuJjPL4sO3yqUpgC/s605/TheScream.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="605" data-original-width="424" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpS6cnLMpvkmaOKqRZh_8vLdDUg9dCeLjZOG3LpMkIGWWaNg-GnOLNz3St3qyR1PxxrkZZszWh3lWcc5e9qd6Y7vby2D16uv9TLoEbZiJcRWsITbJ5huQ_wLmYPeEAnMZghWhY-Dedey-q7A-X1mu9weRRq5OQ359RFyta8W6cnTj_uuJjPL4sO3yqUpgC/s320/TheScream.bmp" width="224" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">To say I’m ignoring it would not be true. Of course, I have
to be involved. I’m taking him to the hospital and bringing him home. He won’t
be able to drive for weeks. I’ll have to take him to physical therapy several
times a week and to his follow-up doctor appointment. I won’t be able to go
anywhere until he’s managing himself, but fortunately I can work remotely. And
here we are on the brink of Christmas. I still have shopping to do, and
decorating, and presents to wrap and ship.
</span><span style="text-align: left;">It’s a lot…and I have only two days of freedom left. That’s what’s on my
mind, far more so than his shoulder.</span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">So, enough blogging for now. I’m out of here soon to go
Christmas shopping and dog walking…and there’s a basketball game on TV at noon
that I want to watch. Just maybe, I’ll go hit a small bucket of golf balls
today. We have unseasonably warm weather today – we can’t let that go to waste!
<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>KYLadyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386201292445132711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-278845464908391168.post-80798914273947332592023-12-01T20:59:00.003-05:002023-12-01T20:59:52.648-05:00Family Expansion<p> Baby Catherine is now a toddler, some two years old, plus a
month. Time has flown by and she is starting to talk in a way that I can
understand her some of the time. I got to babysit her for several days last
month while her mommy went away to a conference. It was great fun to spend so much
time with her. Sarah wants her to call me Grandmother, but she usually calls me
Grandmothee, which is close enough and rather endearing (to be fair, everything
about her is endearing <span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji", sans-serif;">😊</span>).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ub34TTVGf5g5UUM8VhzB4rIfuYmoUoIlYMkUkuBirIwJe8hDOXcpGz_KhXer4ik38Amz4qZGWFChKJxrPD8WA7jeEM6o5Alzhe9IeXi0bgLlZpUhv3PFCJ3SI-4blXNR5zkdI6kOz0XnEfVBrQx11KPxAaVcF16XKBZmdseHjK1BVsaC3Nxw75oy_Bg2/s1008/XREP7376.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="756" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ub34TTVGf5g5UUM8VhzB4rIfuYmoUoIlYMkUkuBirIwJe8hDOXcpGz_KhXer4ik38Amz4qZGWFChKJxrPD8WA7jeEM6o5Alzhe9IeXi0bgLlZpUhv3PFCJ3SI-4blXNR5zkdI6kOz0XnEfVBrQx11KPxAaVcF16XKBZmdseHjK1BVsaC3Nxw75oy_Bg2/s320/XREP7376.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqBMjlAjQh1hI7sgW0IfkCQw2BNsxiPbR2fEPoeMeKhqZfLjVKBEkfRM27UTwB5qG2De9bm2VajC-En0LoIGWQ_6ziRMuLW0LBTxWDC_w3ofjt6iVAfAn5x6Ht5HNQZJxfrjfduZAtBkseSdShT7jDYuD0DRjmRHTUyrK5tGuNImn-gwugZ6PfV_OUOTVS/s2016/IMG_6175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqBMjlAjQh1hI7sgW0IfkCQw2BNsxiPbR2fEPoeMeKhqZfLjVKBEkfRM27UTwB5qG2De9bm2VajC-En0LoIGWQ_6ziRMuLW0LBTxWDC_w3ofjt6iVAfAn5x6Ht5HNQZJxfrjfduZAtBkseSdShT7jDYuD0DRjmRHTUyrK5tGuNImn-gwugZ6PfV_OUOTVS/s320/IMG_6175.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>While I was visiting, Catherine’s Daddy stopped in with a
pizza for lunch to share with all of us. Catherine loves pizza. He asked her
how many pieces she wanted to eat. She replied, “One at a time.” The little munchkin
ate three pieces! She’s a hearty eater and a healthy girl. What a blessing that
is!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sarah and her spouse are expecting another baby in April.
Again, the gender will be unknown until birth…that’s the plan. Drat it!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to know! Patience is not my virtue. So,
another grandbaby is one way our family is expanding. Catherine will be a big sister.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Emily is getting married next May. Logan proposed on the Fourth
of July. We are thrilled for them; they have a lot in common, I think. They seem
very smitten with each (as it should be), he’s very good to her, so that’s good
enough for me. Emily, Sarah, Erin, Catherine, and I were all together in
Lexington when Emily tried on wedding dresses and selected one. That was
delightful for me and once she had the dress, it all seemed more real. <o:p></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsc-Spce9K1rmFzH3tmvObrXUe6FhJnzlTWmnWDOuoV4FJPoY42KunDej7lLOC-f2vKYMj71Lpenoa4wfWw9y95wMkaOHsjcBq14jgTOfeNhHX6z5T1pmTfoaG2W9r3CyzhagLDpZjciVtBMT8xRzPYotN02Lv2oG1Bevd9N1ood0C4ATEmjAdWYRlQV1F/s1125/IMG_E6557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="735" data-original-width="1125" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsc-Spce9K1rmFzH3tmvObrXUe6FhJnzlTWmnWDOuoV4FJPoY42KunDej7lLOC-f2vKYMj71Lpenoa4wfWw9y95wMkaOHsjcBq14jgTOfeNhHX6z5T1pmTfoaG2W9r3CyzhagLDpZjciVtBMT8xRzPYotN02Lv2oG1Bevd9N1ood0C4ATEmjAdWYRlQV1F/s320/IMG_E6557.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Congratulations to Logan and Emily</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p class="MsoNormal">Erin is on the cusp of getting engaged. We think it will happen very soon (like,
before the end of the year). It’s exciting to think that in a family with no
sons, we will soon have three son-in-laws…sons-in-law?? I am pleased. Erin and
Tanner have been dating since high school. He has been over many (many) times
when Erin and Emily invited friends over. They went to dances together. He already
feels like family. Erin said she hopes to have a wedding in fall, 2024. Two
weddings in one year!!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTiZlPF-R-x595wgBvlGeYztDJI-Xt5HKA6wDOFzrBaumOZC9R08Ipe4kvNSRSRRfvfVqw2b_UDjeuyqcAKRq9QRHgyqUwtcwq9Qw_0rMz0PS4hvFo4TDYjcB-Dqgcu286aOrGN5bs1ysUiVuNneEhdlpo7GfZ9voyJkhONVLycVqh62Z_0PLyObEHmW-/s4032/IMG_5774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTiZlPF-R-x595wgBvlGeYztDJI-Xt5HKA6wDOFzrBaumOZC9R08Ipe4kvNSRSRRfvfVqw2b_UDjeuyqcAKRq9QRHgyqUwtcwq9Qw_0rMz0PS4hvFo4TDYjcB-Dqgcu286aOrGN5bs1ysUiVuNneEhdlpo7GfZ9voyJkhONVLycVqh62Z_0PLyObEHmW-/s320/IMG_5774.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soon to all be part of our family 💕💕</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>KYLadyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386201292445132711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-278845464908391168.post-17322464401708788182023-03-12T22:11:00.000-04:002023-03-12T22:11:08.850-04:00Changing priorities<p> Little Miss Catherine will soon be 17 months old. With time
speeding by as it does, Catherine has developed into a delightful toddler. I
got to stay with her and her daddy a few days while her mommy (Sarah) went away
for a business trip. How lucky for me
that I only live 90 minutes away and her parents allow me into their home to be
part of this little miracle’s life. I was on spring break so Sarah’s trip was
perfect timing for me.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX0xiGCoxREEdHRwHhqfO22K--XvRph6kuu9_x5YOqbl-_5EaADeRxAMfA5PTeSZ2GC2dCWgqBRAvcEuD9arqpUa9QZiSNSpBxLkI8FLbftUmBRuntagpaG-J5xW_p38vndHxIBvD3-LplBSdc_ENAa4IwH4ulXLTDMC_M28oQn_jDBGZEa0nUXtiZfw/s3088/IMG_5643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2320" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX0xiGCoxREEdHRwHhqfO22K--XvRph6kuu9_x5YOqbl-_5EaADeRxAMfA5PTeSZ2GC2dCWgqBRAvcEuD9arqpUa9QZiSNSpBxLkI8FLbftUmBRuntagpaG-J5xW_p38vndHxIBvD3-LplBSdc_ENAa4IwH4ulXLTDMC_M28oQn_jDBGZEa0nUXtiZfw/w300-h400/IMG_5643.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Catherine</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieTEMvvSP4EfvzYe71xtNp1p73NWZRk5552lt3c0pcshHJBtHSDQvyCeES81TSPmFfPl99MqGCMoHsDeyha4ahoV4lFj1jehTV35LqlUIGDkGk6EoT0vXSYWY0y-Or9711ID7G0oNqaj6t7bUzIyABTvD38mUoU3ff3wR2e1udwAPIOgBbQcJYmg4cCw/s423/cropped_sleeping.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="423" data-original-width="360" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieTEMvvSP4EfvzYe71xtNp1p73NWZRk5552lt3c0pcshHJBtHSDQvyCeES81TSPmFfPl99MqGCMoHsDeyha4ahoV4lFj1jehTV35LqlUIGDkGk6EoT0vXSYWY0y-Or9711ID7G0oNqaj6t7bUzIyABTvD38mUoU3ff3wR2e1udwAPIOgBbQcJYmg4cCw/w340-h400/cropped_sleeping.png" width="340" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">afternoon recharging</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Catherine is just starting to say some words - most distinctly
are <i>no</i>, <i>more</i>, and <i>bad</i>. She communicates well by nodding yes
and shaking her head no. She blows kisses and waves bye-bye. We had the best
time reading books, pretending to cook with kitchen utensils, an empty salt
shaker, and measuring cups. We played with a ball and with her other toys. She has a great affinity for music boxes. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Miss Catherine left me with a wonderful memory. She woke up
early one morning and ran over to my bed. I heard her thump on the wood floor
with her little feet – running – thump, thump, thump, thump – short but very
fast little steps. I lay in my bed pretending to be asleep, hoping she might
return to her own bed and go back to sleep. She stood there. I could hear her
sucking her pacifier and breathing. Then, she hooted a few times…something like
an owl or a dove. It made me smile. I pulled her up into the bed with me and
she snuggled up against me. I put the blanket over her and she lay there
quietly for 10 minutes or so. She had brought a stuffed bird with her, which
she began playing with (I pretended to be asleep).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bird pecked my arm and my face. Then Catherine
began poking my eyes and running her fingers through my hair. Then, ever so
gently, she started tracing the lines on my face. That made me smile, and as
soon as I did that, she grabbed my nose and gave it a hard twist. That made me
laugh out loud. As soon as I did that, she giggled. So much for going back to sleep - playtime was on!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Her giggles are infectious, but oh my, she is coming up on
terrible two which, for my own girls, started around 18 months. When Catherine doesn’t
have something she wants, she gets mad and then she cries unconsolably. The
best solution I found was to show her something interesting or to change venue
(take her to a different room).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I try to
be a good grandmother/entertainment director.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We had spring last week – unseasonably warm temperature and
sunshine. The Bradford Pear trees exploded into bloom. I know they are bad for
our environment and terrible invasive, but their blooms are truly stunning! The magnolias
and daffodils bloomed, and now the redbud trees are showing their purple. But for now,
we are back into winter until late next week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So much for spring. Someone and I even played a round of golf one
evening while spring was here. It was wonderful to get out to the course again,
but so crowded that afternoon. We only got 13 holes in before it got too dark to finish the round. <o:p></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuQNZ5CTW60rQlgBlTI8TM-Ax6eiHXRt2VwKS2wFxUD8kKZVIpslzXeEY_KUnQrtUgvgWFSbOVMtBibgANemv9bS6QllT5SN5P--9idITT4jfITTnXMztc0-46e_rH_ESicYdcLyEy5vSFQfGcmEOhGcwp2d2t5QAHF1P6_I3ga-wEPBBN5RLb0e2Jeg/s4032/IMG_5635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuQNZ5CTW60rQlgBlTI8TM-Ax6eiHXRt2VwKS2wFxUD8kKZVIpslzXeEY_KUnQrtUgvgWFSbOVMtBibgANemv9bS6QllT5SN5P--9idITT4jfITTnXMztc0-46e_rH_ESicYdcLyEy5vSFQfGcmEOhGcwp2d2t5QAHF1P6_I3ga-wEPBBN5RLb0e2Jeg/w400-h300/IMG_5635.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early March @ 74 degrees F - a winter gift</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p class="MsoNormal">The semester is chugging along. I’ve cut back hours at
University #2 which has improved my work/life balance. Lately, I’ve been
thinking about returning to part-time at University #1. I enjoy the work and the
people there, but I want my time to be more flexible. By going part-time, I won’t
have to go to campus unless I want to, or if they have some kind of training or
event. As long as I keep my students happy, my hours would be whenever I work, day
or night, and wherever I am. It sounds great except that the adjunct pay is
very sucky. I have already committed for Fall 2023 semester (full-time), so there is plenty
of time to think about things. Life is short, and getting shorter. </p><p class="MsoNormal">Mick and Gracie are getting along very well these days. Mick has started paying more attention to Gracie, in a good way, I think. He still will not play with her, but he no longer avoids her. When I am working at my desk, they sleep side-by-side against my chair. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAyHy1d0d1Ko30rkR1v7hsekvWxrb3-QX1dCKYjgWYyedRC5UneScQ_72kH4UfUr2lUGikVQqtFHwbYRpJVvX53LsxvRTGh4NET25BxaZTLqsBGdrgI7_wnIXNe4WS1juCts2LMjymowjwlX8PXLwRm_bMoH2nFp6pdLhj2c9nVdAJFDVCCiPLR7wv6Q/s4032/IMG_5568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAyHy1d0d1Ko30rkR1v7hsekvWxrb3-QX1dCKYjgWYyedRC5UneScQ_72kH4UfUr2lUGikVQqtFHwbYRpJVvX53LsxvRTGh4NET25BxaZTLqsBGdrgI7_wnIXNe4WS1juCts2LMjymowjwlX8PXLwRm_bMoH2nFp6pdLhj2c9nVdAJFDVCCiPLR7wv6Q/w400-h300/IMG_5568.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Co-inhabitants of my home: Someone, Mick, and Gracie on a very warm winter day</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>KYLadyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386201292445132711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-278845464908391168.post-21179731518958410542023-01-21T20:41:00.013-05:002023-01-22T09:52:19.009-05:00Heart expansion<p>I’m delighted to report that we (Someone and I) have adopted a new dog – meet Mick. Mick is an 8-year-old border collie. He’s incredibly smart and playful, trained extremely well, and an outstandingly good boy. Gracie is learning to tolerate him, thanks to her training last summer (we sent her to charm school for a few weeks) and time she has spent with Leo, Erin’s dog. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikcuwic8H4ui3FMvnxXGNysnMpdeRfcjD2u_g_-XbQ-c9hmAFt59CSoxCjLnfyjg5j0yMgloC4VUtjg_6shBRxAS14Dqd9hUjUekoYpwC3nmShU3w4nEPDbThDyD8r1i3-gsT8Xh5OssTdOBNIGgXUkiXXS77WogvBTys7B9Y7BWFtrYC--xbIY_GiRw/s2436/IMG_5473.PNG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2436" data-original-width="1125" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikcuwic8H4ui3FMvnxXGNysnMpdeRfcjD2u_g_-XbQ-c9hmAFt59CSoxCjLnfyjg5j0yMgloC4VUtjg_6shBRxAS14Dqd9hUjUekoYpwC3nmShU3w4nEPDbThDyD8r1i3-gsT8Xh5OssTdOBNIGgXUkiXXS77WogvBTys7B9Y7BWFtrYC--xbIY_GiRw/w149-h320/IMG_5473.PNG" width="149" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mick</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVKW2w1YdsLBmsIe6ML6H9DvP4rLKBB3gCeFReuJfd537uEpsu11ZtChIO5z-yLLzAHnBY97Q1GAnk9umtGL1JV2i1BFxEqvoYKnsjBPUaf6gbLjvhUkYMuXfz1-RXPgy71zda4SSJB8kr3ZS136qr9s9-sY3agbj4jLTdmVYnKEyGkc2ck9fIccXe1w/s4032/IMG_5462.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVKW2w1YdsLBmsIe6ML6H9DvP4rLKBB3gCeFReuJfd537uEpsu11ZtChIO5z-yLLzAHnBY97Q1GAnk9umtGL1JV2i1BFxEqvoYKnsjBPUaf6gbLjvhUkYMuXfz1-RXPgy71zda4SSJB8kr3ZS136qr9s9-sY3agbj4jLTdmVYnKEyGkc2ck9fIccXe1w/s320/IMG_5462.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good boy, Mick!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqgQ9XXvBDNrNUqY5mSjX9lzpZd4SZVX5o_1uhSbp8wVmwNTzyZeDuR1qN8vBBrT7T54e4Q8Kpmk3RF_7_oa7Lgdw59rpWD3jXThMgjbDIJu2jKK5O2cZg_SKxBXW9uFBRF1hzaa7t7MMajca4mpiMoYF7_0CnWLcLZIvcRP-mnKSJRjoosFaHymOGbA/s2048/IMG_6460.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqgQ9XXvBDNrNUqY5mSjX9lzpZd4SZVX5o_1uhSbp8wVmwNTzyZeDuR1qN8vBBrT7T54e4Q8Kpmk3RF_7_oa7Lgdw59rpWD3jXThMgjbDIJu2jKK5O2cZg_SKxBXW9uFBRF1hzaa7t7MMajca4mpiMoYF7_0CnWLcLZIvcRP-mnKSJRjoosFaHymOGbA/s320/IMG_6460.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rare photo of Emily with Gracie</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Mick seems to be happy living with us. Mick and Gracie share their love of walks. I (and sometimes both Someone and I) take them on a walk every day for at least 30 minutes. It’s their favorite thing to do. Gracie is 12 and starting to lose her hearing so I think at some point, she will be grateful to have a companion who can hear. </p><p>We are a month into winter at this point. Other than that cold snap we experienced when we returned from Florida in December, winter has been incredibly mild (like, 40 to 60 degrees most days). I’m grateful for mild winters because these cold months can be such a long haul! I can be happy outside in the cold if there’s no wind and I’m dressed warm enough. I love tromping through the woods in the cold winter because the poison ivy is much less of a factor (leaves and vines are much easier to see) and the snakes are all hibernating. Just writing these words makes me want to saddle up my dogs tomorrow and go for a nice long hike!</p><p>Someone and I drove over to visit baby Catherine today (and her parents, of course). We didn’t stay long, but long enough for that sweet baby to work her magic on me. Catherine is about 15 months now, so she’s asserting herself more and becoming more vocal about things she likes and wants. She loves books and has a lot of them. She shared some of her favorite pages with me. Her special affinity is for moths and butterflies, spiders, snakes, ducks, and cats. She also recognizes the letter V. When it came time for us to leave, Catherine walked us to the door. I hugged Sarah and our son-in-law, kissed the top of baby’s head, and told her good-bye. She looked up at me with those gigantic eyes and reached up to me, so of course, I picked her up. How could I resist? Then, she clutched me as if she didn’t want me to go. My heart completely melted in that moment. That was seven hours ago, and I’m still thinking about it. That grandbaby!!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFAd0l-O89gQ893lcl0eVGYCYiNQyzyqO26sFMF3Fky2Cox5tNvdoIcY6j5dniU00k9hzWAVPVTTsP8MripRMDWLd2OhQXZx8l2-yzxsyj-KuUt9AT89LQG8Usht_XI0dYWJpw_goGsEZIZGIiO1w2C4Pj4SWAEmkLE1SuAcAC4smjHXGY0SD9a_UEnw/s3088/IMG_5468.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2320" data-original-width="3088" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFAd0l-O89gQ893lcl0eVGYCYiNQyzyqO26sFMF3Fky2Cox5tNvdoIcY6j5dniU00k9hzWAVPVTTsP8MripRMDWLd2OhQXZx8l2-yzxsyj-KuUt9AT89LQG8Usht_XI0dYWJpw_goGsEZIZGIiO1w2C4Pj4SWAEmkLE1SuAcAC4smjHXGY0SD9a_UEnw/s320/IMG_5468.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sarah with Catherine</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWe0ww3HXdGchSUl3fI8Aoo3D3P_n2R8r4DOPSCyvhIhdkjiEHTS08kjnW-YJlD2MVidGtboXydg8ggXbtvl2vkWpPKnM4RsaJXUA6e1XERk6cNGyrlKwt04POov8Kj2fb6WsWXXJP-iR6xXIraK9rFvlNIcn_9uLOfax2GRiHHW9TaEKSTh1bvmJ_Cg/s110/Catherine%201.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="sweet baby" border="0" data-original-height="110" data-original-width="91" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWe0ww3HXdGchSUl3fI8Aoo3D3P_n2R8r4DOPSCyvhIhdkjiEHTS08kjnW-YJlD2MVidGtboXydg8ggXbtvl2vkWpPKnM4RsaJXUA6e1XERk6cNGyrlKwt04POov8Kj2fb6WsWXXJP-iR6xXIraK9rFvlNIcn_9uLOfax2GRiHHW9TaEKSTh1bvmJ_Cg/w331-h400/Catherine%201.png" width="331" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sweetness overload</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><div><br /></div>KYLadyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386201292445132711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-278845464908391168.post-47900282881291417822022-12-25T22:40:00.001-05:002022-12-25T22:40:28.269-05:00winding down 2022<p>So much for me writing more often in 2022 – that did not happen. Life has been busy…like so busy, especially these past five months. With eight classes going on at University #1 and no fewer than six at University #2 in their sessions, things have been a bit chaotic for me with trying to keep up with things. </p><p>So now it’s winter break for both universities. I have one week before all hell breaks loose again. It may even be worse hell this time because even though I only have six classes for University #1, two are brand new for me. I still have to design and build these courses – procrastination is my middle name. I told them I would do ONE new class, but they assigned two new classes and now there are enough students enrolled in them, so they will go live January 9, ready or not. These are both business classes. Even though I majored in business, and for God’s sake, even got a freakin’ doctorate in business, I really do hate business. I know business and money makes the world go ‘round, but I don’t have much interest in it. </p><p>Enough about work. Here we are – Christmas Day! I would wish a Merry Christmas to the entire world, but I know life for much (if not most) of the world is quite tragic in one way or another. The world has always had evil people, but there seems to be so much more evil and greed than there used to be. Standards for ethical behavior have relaxed. It causes me to wonder if the trend, the downslide, will continue. God has blessed me with the best possible life. Great health, family, pets, work, shelter, and enough to eat. Life doesn't get much better than that!</p><p>Baby Catherine is a delight. She is now 14 months old, walking, jabbering, and doing new things every time I see her. She has a marvelous sense of humor, and she LOVES books. She can entertain herself with books for quite a while, but she also loves being read to. Sarah went to a conference for four days in November and I had privilege to stay with Catherine and her daddy, who, I might add, was a tremendous help. I didn’t realize baby Catherine was capable of eating as much as she eats. Her dad set me straight and convinced me to offer her double of what I was putting on her plate. It makes me smile to think about her and to think I might get to see her again this week.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQ2TotuOflZzLZKaO7Ny-cAt4S9QPoSAcQwUrB3H7eqBe9ltVmTSG-jG089rum20TbmM0KU7ccstqzyX0wBzqy0lvIcKGIRyvomHhUcJYsJiRKRxVmZk4wC3VVjSFq8zeDpoLFzWrobVsLM1qaNRR5vhm4WCgzeBcQfXZnP4ErjUbcc1q1C67hGH8Dw/s800/XWZT0908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQ2TotuOflZzLZKaO7Ny-cAt4S9QPoSAcQwUrB3H7eqBe9ltVmTSG-jG089rum20TbmM0KU7ccstqzyX0wBzqy0lvIcKGIRyvomHhUcJYsJiRKRxVmZk4wC3VVjSFq8zeDpoLFzWrobVsLM1qaNRR5vhm4WCgzeBcQfXZnP4ErjUbcc1q1C67hGH8Dw/s320/XWZT0908.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9TbabsjhQO8GsbSkZa4FsIgEsCHZmaCwbA9XFFjAS2JqjyiX6HeJPyHYdCyxHltW23KHvLZg4YrTdUN3Rnqx1iBZObwRs97BW9KG2ZKfieGKgLWumI_zWNPB1GIJYBPn_-nSiC3sZsmdV9V0S6iUX82UR6BU8b70DePyMFkBPhL5A6mKwbOqS2EWORQ/s1008/SDBB2890.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="756" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9TbabsjhQO8GsbSkZa4FsIgEsCHZmaCwbA9XFFjAS2JqjyiX6HeJPyHYdCyxHltW23KHvLZg4YrTdUN3Rnqx1iBZObwRs97BW9KG2ZKfieGKgLWumI_zWNPB1GIJYBPn_-nSiC3sZsmdV9V0S6iUX82UR6BU8b70DePyMFkBPhL5A6mKwbOqS2EWORQ/s320/SDBB2890.JPEG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet baby Catherine</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Someone and I took a brief (4-day) vacation to Daytona Beach, Florida last week. We had great flights down and back – direct and on time! Flights that are on time are especially wonderful. We played 36 holes of golf the first two days we were there, in weather that was partly sunny and mid-70s degrees. On the third day, the rain poured and we drove north (out of the rain) to Jacksonville to visit my mother. She seemed to be doing much better as compared to last summer when the girls and I visited her. We took her to lunch and shopping a little bit. It was nice to visit her and my brother who lives nearby. We headed back to our motel in Daytona, but stopped in St Augustine for a walk around the fort there and a walk through the historic district. I liked it but Someone was bored. Someone doesn’t enjoy random adventure. The weather cleared by the time we returned to Daytona. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj87nBLMbVtu9xFT-DXZXeT_d-kig7MWjygQORTAVIIN63WuLYRqnw0RaGDDDoYWvQkq4TjXwVp8WbblvSlwSCMU6wanbDLS91ALQovS9sAn4kPIA6wYXE_M4wWx-EbvTaDhWopkJ_8foPtpI8vnOEQ791ZGULq2yWt6asqnyQdcs-KBxLlathhXiCDBw/s4032/IMG_5359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj87nBLMbVtu9xFT-DXZXeT_d-kig7MWjygQORTAVIIN63WuLYRqnw0RaGDDDoYWvQkq4TjXwVp8WbblvSlwSCMU6wanbDLS91ALQovS9sAn4kPIA6wYXE_M4wWx-EbvTaDhWopkJ_8foPtpI8vnOEQ791ZGULq2yWt6asqnyQdcs-KBxLlathhXiCDBw/s320/IMG_5359.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daytona Beach - view from our motel balcony</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>On our last day of vacation, we were going to play golf. BUT, we learned that Space X had two launches scheduled for that day. We drove south and spent the day at Kennedy Space Center. It was the first time either of us had visited and we were both impressed with the exhibits. We did a simulation of taking off in a space shuttle – that was fun and exhilarating…but in reality, I would be too claustrophobic to strap into a space shuttle…I think so, anyway. The first launch was postponed for another day. The second launch was moved forward a few hours. We caught a bus to the Banana Creek observation area, 6 miles from the launch pad. The launch was pushed back again, but finally it launched just a few minutes before the cut-off for cancelling the launch. It was FABULOUS! The most amazing thing to me was how bright it was from so far away, and also, that the rocket had disappeared from sight before we ever heard the rumble of the take-off. Space X launched two communication satellites for the O3B network on that rocket. The network provides broadband Internet access. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmI5m5aZnOgAb8FzJ_58KkIhWAKLDiE1EOXIbG5k_MOaNBfAM52r5lFadoQMUlvIeeVnMBI7RqbXx6p-GgtouyWIxyDMqUa6C_ka4jcu61L9YBgtF2e89bVKm9cPXTcbEOwpdTyURzwfmyLitCK1gnQ2DydFSBhsLeFy3VhGY-YtwyF-3sEyPNrA01Nw/s4032/IMG_5380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmI5m5aZnOgAb8FzJ_58KkIhWAKLDiE1EOXIbG5k_MOaNBfAM52r5lFadoQMUlvIeeVnMBI7RqbXx6p-GgtouyWIxyDMqUa6C_ka4jcu61L9YBgtF2e89bVKm9cPXTcbEOwpdTyURzwfmyLitCK1gnQ2DydFSBhsLeFy3VhGY-YtwyF-3sEyPNrA01Nw/s320/IMG_5380.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Someone and I at Kennedy Space Center</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBfnRDrLzLduavRN5Htrl8C2-wpiGPDG1eyzYlv3CzAdPy1zkH5_EOM0zrFLiYJbwwcnST8lIcuzHhdqZEuTYI5zxQdASVMueSO3GgVnl9HiznxLiCHcQ9S3s3wKw6aj8Iq3uuoLCgztP-82uXQYc_6MXCriBokyMTmTcvWUvbS0LA88RfuRYzu4NlHw/s4032/IMG_5389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBfnRDrLzLduavRN5Htrl8C2-wpiGPDG1eyzYlv3CzAdPy1zkH5_EOM0zrFLiYJbwwcnST8lIcuzHhdqZEuTYI5zxQdASVMueSO3GgVnl9HiznxLiCHcQ9S3s3wKw6aj8Iq3uuoLCgztP-82uXQYc_6MXCriBokyMTmTcvWUvbS0LA88RfuRYzu4NlHw/s320/IMG_5389.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Launch pads are about 6 miles away (across the water)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p class="MsoNormal">I hope we get to see a rocket launch again someday. There is plenty to see at the space center. I'd like to go back and see more of it. From the Banana Creek observation area, you can see launch pads for NASA, Space Force, and Space X. </p><p class="MsoNormal">When we got back to Kentucky, the temperature dropped to near zero. We’ve had a blast of winter in time for Christmas but in a few days, we are warming back up to the 60s. Hooray for that! I like winter, but not a lot of winter, and definitely not frigid cold. It has been so cold that Gracie would only go outside when absolutely necessary. I love my dog. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV2vz446YETtUWEkcV4qi2TLVlyZ0RHtElPZvDRSnN7nfa-Xk2ZtNE3r4HNOamV13F26vp7Y52vvIi4wUR18ltaV8Hx01qTk6pQa44ddqdUUrGpa0aY4-uehb4ofBwa3QpwlUB5wVI6xb0tf1wlHSQeCV0lDSP-Lhr7d_pY_36KOKxkFUxI-L5pfx5fA/s4032/IMG_5247%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV2vz446YETtUWEkcV4qi2TLVlyZ0RHtElPZvDRSnN7nfa-Xk2ZtNE3r4HNOamV13F26vp7Y52vvIi4wUR18ltaV8Hx01qTk6pQa44ddqdUUrGpa0aY4-uehb4ofBwa3QpwlUB5wVI6xb0tf1wlHSQeCV0lDSP-Lhr7d_pY_36KOKxkFUxI-L5pfx5fA/s320/IMG_5247%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Gracie</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div><br /></div>KYLadyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386201292445132711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-278845464908391168.post-36879876355955709682022-07-02T11:45:00.003-04:002022-07-02T11:45:39.839-04:00Girls' Vacay<p> My girls, granddaughter, and I loaded up in June and took a girls’ vacation to Florida. It’s not at all that we had a burning desire to go to Florida, but that we wanted to visit my mother (their grandmother/great-grandmother) who lives in Jacksonville. We drove because Sarah didn’t want to expose baby Catherine to Covid on planes and in airports. It’s a little more than 11 hours to drive to Jacksonville from our hometown in Kentucky. We took turns driving, although Emily and Sarah did most of the grunt work. Trust me, it was plenty miserable to drive with wrecks, construction, high traffic areas, and “sharing” the road with complete idiots who should have never been granted a license. </p><p>All of us girls have cars that are too small for four adults (five adults when we went places with my mother) and a baby car seat (with baby installed, of course). I rented a Nissan Pathfinder which was a perfect size for our needs. The Pathfinder is plenty roomy but it’s not like driving a big bus down the highway. The gas mileage was not great, but that’s expected with a non-hybrid SUV. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghNsiiQa4vY4v8wWQt9fHqoRXVehu2vBfBwIsw_ask4e8z2GlKhg8KKjU_w0gsegkQXZLECbVqvozmEXdpvJOE5_BPoJBU12pqHatDZAET2gRwkbt3s66CXKuj1gub0tBefwlulgUt5EturOAe2CqSFZIC8fw1r5Zeu4xAHDby5MfDx8-CAJ8Vz_tviQ/s4032/IMG_4601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghNsiiQa4vY4v8wWQt9fHqoRXVehu2vBfBwIsw_ask4e8z2GlKhg8KKjU_w0gsegkQXZLECbVqvozmEXdpvJOE5_BPoJBU12pqHatDZAET2gRwkbt3s66CXKuj1gub0tBefwlulgUt5EturOAe2CqSFZIC8fw1r5Zeu4xAHDby5MfDx8-CAJ8Vz_tviQ/w400-h300/IMG_4601.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loading the Pathfinder</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Two days to get to Florida, two days in Florida, and two days to get home. I expected Catherine to fuss at least 75% of the time in the car. This was not the case at all. Catherine fretted a little, very little, only when she was hungry or wanted her diaper changed. At eight months old, Catherine is quite deft at using a potty thanks to her mother’s attention, so she is not pleased to wear anything beyond a pristine diaper. It’s remarkable! I got lots of time to sit beside her in the car, play with her, and just gaze at her beauty (because I’m totally smitten with her, as you can probably tell). </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfPScGy9GZAs82XMpHNjIgnM6CRA0zuh9CItwdfBQ9YKXVsaQG76KIfAvxXTfUwLYSW4FE_34uHbVJidMXl4lHc8BuBH23SjtfYngWa_KqOHlMJzNudQU7U8ankPa_2HBBUzAf2CfO6ffcGHFVk-FFNMTrSp0vwRNl9QK9nH8PbxZpoE3aOPg356Jeww/s4032/IMG_4698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfPScGy9GZAs82XMpHNjIgnM6CRA0zuh9CItwdfBQ9YKXVsaQG76KIfAvxXTfUwLYSW4FE_34uHbVJidMXl4lHc8BuBH23SjtfYngWa_KqOHlMJzNudQU7U8ankPa_2HBBUzAf2CfO6ffcGHFVk-FFNMTrSp0vwRNl9QK9nH8PbxZpoE3aOPg356Jeww/w300-h400/IMG_4698.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best view during the road trip</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-MdHeJXTnPeAgquNNxXUWO-SboGf25QspsaMRmtvgWkvWj2Fl7qbAnjoPlQ8Sg7v5fiiTfyA62o4gs4JfpiO-3mSv5ERXtBAm0aD-NhZrgumq3ob4ZiUxS_TmAZz10QOVbhtKWE6y38WdEOKatwCDC_lmPgwaNkLwiwxfDtnUB_kbcb_cvtMLT1LAA/s3088/IMG_4603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2320" data-original-width="3088" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-MdHeJXTnPeAgquNNxXUWO-SboGf25QspsaMRmtvgWkvWj2Fl7qbAnjoPlQ8Sg7v5fiiTfyA62o4gs4JfpiO-3mSv5ERXtBAm0aD-NhZrgumq3ob4ZiUxS_TmAZz10QOVbhtKWE6y38WdEOKatwCDC_lmPgwaNkLwiwxfDtnUB_kbcb_cvtMLT1LAA/w400-h300/IMG_4603.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">road trip lunch selfie</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTxH7uIF7ANBpfDEsoqlvLuY3dtbu9IfV5lRWnbI-30BmDCkFkxrT198WsEpSyxhPpt6JqKXpjyN7sq6kUrqX6GlxBdTsj9qsC8FtCjFBLZJIT5tnndi6OR6wZVSnFQdOw6LSAZCda-q81JuR7G2OWZ6jn4Hwgk6ygVTD_OfDPclWCbJ-ndqhy-y9vIQ/s4032/IMG_4611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTxH7uIF7ANBpfDEsoqlvLuY3dtbu9IfV5lRWnbI-30BmDCkFkxrT198WsEpSyxhPpt6JqKXpjyN7sq6kUrqX6GlxBdTsj9qsC8FtCjFBLZJIT5tnndi6OR6wZVSnFQdOw6LSAZCda-q81JuR7G2OWZ6jn4Hwgk6ygVTD_OfDPclWCbJ-ndqhy-y9vIQ/w400-h300/IMG_4611.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">at the NC Arboretum (morning side trip before hitting the road on day 2)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>I had not seen my mother for a year. The girls had not seen her since Sarah’s wedding several years ago. I’m so glad we had opportunity to visit with her because, well, nobody knows how long any of us will be here in this world. Someone always declares that he (or we) need to do something with his parents because this might be the last time; they might not be around much longer. Heck, any of us might not be around much longer. Shit happens. We don’t have to be old for shit to happen to us. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrw3NVzR_6bpAm3Mqrtbr_nRl8NRdRGwwrpMZ2Iqgtn05W64lnH7VooiYvCe2gWG86jjlgPDkhT07W8IURHiz-xANMdqMeiw2-j1vdXRFXG2VAzOFRKWzCHqZbeTim_HLecnr7Nwz0ArhgeQ7xz1KIXcaqD5-jZxqdhQHx-qlc3L6_ePzMbEuAQQXOLQ/s4032/IMG_4709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrw3NVzR_6bpAm3Mqrtbr_nRl8NRdRGwwrpMZ2Iqgtn05W64lnH7VooiYvCe2gWG86jjlgPDkhT07W8IURHiz-xANMdqMeiw2-j1vdXRFXG2VAzOFRKWzCHqZbeTim_HLecnr7Nwz0ArhgeQ7xz1KIXcaqD5-jZxqdhQHx-qlc3L6_ePzMbEuAQQXOLQ/w400-h300/IMG_4709.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catherine meets her great grandmother</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Jacksonville is a big city. We stayed at Jacksonville Beach on the ocean because the girls don’t go to beaches often. Such is life when you don’t live near the ocean. Personally, I hate the beach. It’s all sand and sun – very boring landscape. I do like to walk on the beach in the early morning and late evening, but the beach has zero appeal in the bright sunshine. Palm trees are highly overrated. I also hate big cities. It’s too much clutter, dirt, people, and noise. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqgfqBS4oo1WFFdoqpvQ4QegDpWEdisiqfqHNnvmL14xJD3iBURm_OGtTmJ3F1jvrp6xjY3fA-6Hmw_kXnVop3RQq2Gr5_AXSUjqXboPDwQL_7Ngh3OWTID0s_inbN4i9UAmFhkCT_BfRT3J-G-mqu2tm728wZYugspoNd6nzo8FsFL43njPJdPIeypw/s4032/IMG_4624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqgfqBS4oo1WFFdoqpvQ4QegDpWEdisiqfqHNnvmL14xJD3iBURm_OGtTmJ3F1jvrp6xjY3fA-6Hmw_kXnVop3RQq2Gr5_AXSUjqXboPDwQL_7Ngh3OWTID0s_inbN4i9UAmFhkCT_BfRT3J-G-mqu2tm728wZYugspoNd6nzo8FsFL43njPJdPIeypw/w300-h400/IMG_4624.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby meets beach</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdqf3Fu-t4QwjSikr9UMqSO3C6HipeoCwWO8SgAwlFAa2DP9lSxUY0HAVV4d9YQj46F6QbV6SpPupOOa9DihTvFBWtavtvw4uWb6reAE_c_3XT_H_oy2HlyVq8yuqUhyQsr5sAqu7xfituGRYYIZv34h6kYgiZKzi7x0IKwcYGhOxoXNXGWTVWNUwZng/s4032/IMG_4648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdqf3Fu-t4QwjSikr9UMqSO3C6HipeoCwWO8SgAwlFAa2DP9lSxUY0HAVV4d9YQj46F6QbV6SpPupOOa9DihTvFBWtavtvw4uWb6reAE_c_3XT_H_oy2HlyVq8yuqUhyQsr5sAqu7xfituGRYYIZv34h6kYgiZKzi7x0IKwcYGhOxoXNXGWTVWNUwZng/w400-h300/IMG_4648.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoiOMXLntntBnQv1SivxmD1xdfqgcSiHPwc9z4k9dH2jSiMtQWGbB72UwYJ_N_1uopZb1j0Io0OhjUVOtY-j6tG1Qe8sg08Zw2FU_SZ6lYXJwbSqBGxXHXYtJ20OYAL4vmBFyGc4wUyqi8JoU1j5rCEfU7vTDo1q-fvWX8y9ahyWfZdLM-y8VnCOaeVw/s4032/IMG_4720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoiOMXLntntBnQv1SivxmD1xdfqgcSiHPwc9z4k9dH2jSiMtQWGbB72UwYJ_N_1uopZb1j0Io0OhjUVOtY-j6tG1Qe8sg08Zw2FU_SZ6lYXJwbSqBGxXHXYtJ20OYAL4vmBFyGc4wUyqi8JoU1j5rCEfU7vTDo1q-fvWX8y9ahyWfZdLM-y8VnCOaeVw/w400-h300/IMG_4720.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Four generations</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>The best part of the vacation was just being with my girls and grandbaby. We are all so busy with life these days. My mother’s birthday is today. While we were in Florida with her, I told her I wanted to take her to her favorite store and let her pick out a birthday present. She told me she didn’t need a present because our visit was the best present she could ever imagine. Time is such a limited resource. Why do we waste so much of it? </p><div><br /></div>KYLadyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386201292445132711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-278845464908391168.post-12162840247895786152022-06-30T23:04:00.000-04:002022-06-30T23:04:04.096-04:00oh deer!<p>Things are starting to slow down a little bit – finally. OK, let me be a little more realistic. There is no slow down. There are so many things (like, SO MANY things) that need to get done before August 1, but to maintain a happy life, I’m choosing to procrastinate a little bit just now because the weather this entire week (and today) has been utterly divine. Say what you will about Kentucky, but 75 degrees and a few puffy clouds in blue sky cannot be beat anywhere in the world. </p><p>This morning, before other things could stomp on the day, I loaded up my kayak and went out on the lake. This is the first time in 2022! What is wrong with me? Getting out on the water is something I absolutely love doing. Delightfully, I pretty much had the lake all to myself but for a few fishermen standing on the dock. There’s no better way to enjoy the splendor of nature – solitude. No people talking, no vehicles, no other boats. Just me, the wind in the leaves, birds singing, woodpeckers pecking, and an occasional creature splashing in the water. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qrTiYueUqbcEcP8Ec8QJ-h2wcNQYl35L-mpo8xrd-nPFtmuG5RRfb_fL2bUJxapZt5Jw1uTEPvAQ4D7S0Jcov-Fvo_TxAmPa7Ar8JHCjwHdElcNkRXEodXZRxK-sPloU8Mwmv1PcHKXHcfMOmf9vAoeNpbsNEJJnQ-87y44Id1J1UjxB78u8vnbZpA/s4032/IMG_4728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qrTiYueUqbcEcP8Ec8QJ-h2wcNQYl35L-mpo8xrd-nPFtmuG5RRfb_fL2bUJxapZt5Jw1uTEPvAQ4D7S0Jcov-Fvo_TxAmPa7Ar8JHCjwHdElcNkRXEodXZRxK-sPloU8Mwmv1PcHKXHcfMOmf9vAoeNpbsNEJJnQ-87y44Id1J1UjxB78u8vnbZpA/s320/IMG_4728.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On Greenbo Lake</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>On my drive to the lake, I rounded a curve to see three deer standing in the road. I slowed and finally stopped because nothing was behind me. Mama deer and two babies made no effort to move. Finally, I inched forward. The babies ran into the woods on the right and mama jumped over the guard rail into the woods on the left. Balls! I hate when they split. It probably means one of them will get hit by a car when they try to meet up again. </p><p>While paddling the lake this morning, I saw several deer (solo deer) down by the shore. They watched me and I watched them. Beautiful creatures. I can’t imagine killing one for sport, yet people do that. How is it sport when you use a high-powered rifle with a scope? It’s illegal to bait them, but people do that too. People are just every kind of evil and horrible…well, some people are. </p><p>I heard turkeys chirping on the hills in several places around the lake. We have lots of wild turkeys in this area. It’s probably why we are getting so many coyotes around here. I usually see at least one large flock (15?) on my way to work in the mornings…when I drive to work. I have one more month off work…although, I really need to be getting stuff done before the semester starts. But, not today. </p><p>Golf is consuming much of my summer free time. Someone and I play a few times a week. I’m glad he likes to play. We have fun on the golf course, but he is a man and leisure golf is just different for men than it is for women (in my experience). Men are excruciatingly competitive. Every shot symbolizes their manhood. If they hit a bad shot, or God forbid, they’re having a bad day (so there are lots of bad shots), they whine and pout and refuse to finish the hole. Good God, man, it’s just a game! Get over it. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheK0QZXxh3PCwmRGNEWi0QHiCJQ1woYAvdMAmdtk9vwB3-uwAtW6R5CTcQQZPhGZD4Ctj5w8erxhPojkhgpFsnT7yxbqCZ2co3vZqPoK0ckHYX3ndmzoVSkxWaQx5eygKyjf604FvFbqBRxxlWvTgGm-yekk1gLGfUglK46hwiplrsRBRQN5F2ptHt4Q/s4032/IMG_4214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheK0QZXxh3PCwmRGNEWi0QHiCJQ1woYAvdMAmdtk9vwB3-uwAtW6R5CTcQQZPhGZD4Ctj5w8erxhPojkhgpFsnT7yxbqCZ2co3vZqPoK0ckHYX3ndmzoVSkxWaQx5eygKyjf604FvFbqBRxxlWvTgGm-yekk1gLGfUglK46hwiplrsRBRQN5F2ptHt4Q/s320/IMG_4214.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hidden Cove Golf Course in early spring (I don't remember the hole #)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>I used to play on a golf league at work. It was mostly men in my flight, so I have played with a variety of men. Most men do not want to get beat by a woman on the golf course. I’ve had my opponent forfeit after a few holes to save face. It’s not that I’m so good or even obnoxious. I like quiet on the golf course because to play well, I have to focus on each of my shots. Someone is a talker, unfortunately. I’ve learned to tune him out as best I can, but it’s a real challenge sometimes. When he’s playing well, it’s constant chatter. </p><p>Old KyLady is feeling like she’s almost back in the saddle on the golf course. Over the years, I’ve lost distance. Finally, earlier this year, I got a lesson to see if a pro could help me figure things out. Pretty quickly, he identified the problem that I’ve been working on now to correct. I was not following all the way through on my swing. I was stopping short without realizing it. I blame my bad hip – it’s been going bad for years and getting stiffer and stiffer over time. Now that I’m aware (and my hip was repaired in December 2020), I am making the full turn toward the target and my distance is improving (better than ever, actually). Drive for show, putt for dough. There’s no dough in my level of golf, but the next thing I want to work on is my short game. </p><p>I want to write more often than I have been. Some people are prolific writers…but not me. Not so much. Too many things get in the way. I start posts and then delete them. Do better. Be better. I’m trying. </p>KYLadyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386201292445132711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-278845464908391168.post-36772205797284575472022-02-06T11:52:00.002-05:002022-02-06T11:52:43.295-05:00Bird Brain<p> I feel like writing a blog post – it helps to clear my
brain. Right now, my brain could use a good cleaning. For that matter, my whole
house could use a good clearing and cleaning. Perhaps that is the true source
of the moss in my brain. So many tasks, so little time! More significantly, so
little motivation!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The world is going to hell in a handbasket, but my little microcosm
for today, at least, is defined by the plot of ground outside my window. Here
at my desk, which sits beside a window, I can see four bird feeding stations.
My favorite is a clear acrylic feeder affixed directly to the window with
suction cups.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s delightful to have
birds and squirrels visit less than three feet from me. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The excessive snow and ice this winter have driven the birds
and squirrels to our yard – there’s the silver lining to the raincloud that is
our winter. I do love winter, but enough with the snow and ice already! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My favorite of all the wildlife visitors is
the Northern Flicker woodpecker. One visited regularly during the lockdown
winter 2021. Finally, just a week or so ago, he came back! Now I see him every day.
He likes the suet feeder, but more often than not, he feeds on suet crumbs
dropped by other birds (and squirrels) at the base of the tree.<o:p></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhI6gxM1ruwkAcguEv2JYuUXJReDZ1aJ1zGAZoyq77QAWFx7n6lrPJAblnfHtNLd7THqbDSaLv_9w5GW4o8kWdAWquOIgIbFoGFWHbBrlJYAhQNwCQxkRJIVkjDJHw6tcWmDrd1d2p9lnINZbSCKFyPOgM0XAEeXaA5VOAe2L-JL1Na4_TfXrtvodSyww=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhI6gxM1ruwkAcguEv2JYuUXJReDZ1aJ1zGAZoyq77QAWFx7n6lrPJAblnfHtNLd7THqbDSaLv_9w5GW4o8kWdAWquOIgIbFoGFWHbBrlJYAhQNwCQxkRJIVkjDJHw6tcWmDrd1d2p9lnINZbSCKFyPOgM0XAEeXaA5VOAe2L-JL1Na4_TfXrtvodSyww=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view from the porch</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipCo-oWzoFX0ZtUfa8ZG-_jN5J_wcrYyD_l_3BqRuMIHjPzwgowL8yJB3mEwcJuLmhz9Frm5ce0-_9Q1XoGTJxFSV_caIAuR36ZWcBnVo5g_MCHed_dayr5a_y41wr_-F86qLVwMaI5a4uWyeNEbPA9_BoeG166AZgb7BQpq0YyRJvFFIgXlwr9ITRgA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipCo-oWzoFX0ZtUfa8ZG-_jN5J_wcrYyD_l_3BqRuMIHjPzwgowL8yJB3mEwcJuLmhz9Frm5ce0-_9Q1XoGTJxFSV_caIAuR36ZWcBnVo5g_MCHed_dayr5a_y41wr_-F86qLVwMaI5a4uWyeNEbPA9_BoeG166AZgb7BQpq0YyRJvFFIgXlwr9ITRgA=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where I usually walk Gracie</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p class="MsoNormal">Work is crazy hectic as hell right now. I don’t want to go
into it (because I don’t want to think about it), but let’s just say that once
I post this blog entry, I will be repotting some plants, walking my Gracie, and
then working until I drop into bed. No housework. No Netflix. Instead, we shall press forward
with work tasks that MUST be done ASAP.
I mean that in every sense of the words – as soon as possible, like, no
later than tomorrow. UGH! I’m getting
too old for this kind of work stress.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Catherine is just amazing. I got to visit her last weekend
(or course Sarah and Desmond too)…but really, it’s all about snuggling with
that irresistible baby!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s just so
much fun to play with now at 3.5 months old. Her little coos and squeals are
delightful. When she smiles at me, the world stands still. Everyone should be
so lucky in their lives to have a grandbaby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Alas, it will likely be a few weeks before I see her in person again.
The mean Covid is spreading throughout campus (“like a gender-reveal wildfire”)
and we’re hosting a covid super-spreader event next Friday. We’re having kids
from four high schools come to our campus for a competition. I won't be visiting anyone until I'm sure I haven't caught a germ. <o:p></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNn5OkVvEHxyG6nuMXFyhod5Uhebw3WNvVtg88z4CVVjaqEy0Fv6NvebLLSBp7mbmg_UtL4raisGzqx2KOY8rw5L-WJRrdQdJRGflSGL_8ji2VAIVz4xFkP0ORyEAzCD8Xj1nM2hohGiCMM9YpDPrewzFerqKN5jnprgi1lnq9sLzks6CUadz-bWpv3g=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNn5OkVvEHxyG6nuMXFyhod5Uhebw3WNvVtg88z4CVVjaqEy0Fv6NvebLLSBp7mbmg_UtL4raisGzqx2KOY8rw5L-WJRrdQdJRGflSGL_8ji2VAIVz4xFkP0ORyEAzCD8Xj1nM2hohGiCMM9YpDPrewzFerqKN5jnprgi1lnq9sLzks6CUadz-bWpv3g=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet baby 💗</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_vV99KsxWDhJN2ZqP49_Z4POtzmGSdGW30VfEOQaY-hpLL-pFv3v2INI1BARniZPjtfPXrWEYwYTTttet-CQ2qP1sLGUD7s4ay7oZhaU7RfyKK0B3LkfrdYfrtB6JZYgNzyMPBuPXYDsrl_6nDt9Xu33bOUrI7WX1QDgalE2aWQGTioL-1U7wz8B0bA=s1152" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1152" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_vV99KsxWDhJN2ZqP49_Z4POtzmGSdGW30VfEOQaY-hpLL-pFv3v2INI1BARniZPjtfPXrWEYwYTTttet-CQ2qP1sLGUD7s4ay7oZhaU7RfyKK0B3LkfrdYfrtB6JZYgNzyMPBuPXYDsrl_6nDt9Xu33bOUrI7WX1QDgalE2aWQGTioL-1U7wz8B0bA=w400-h400" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The many faces of Catherine</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p class="MsoNormal">Life doesn’t happen in a chair in front of a screen. It’s
time to get moving and make some things happen today. <b>It’s go time!</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>KYLadyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386201292445132711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-278845464908391168.post-5794420342087698662021-12-23T10:27:00.001-05:002021-12-23T10:27:30.748-05:00Smitten<p> I am smitten. Totally. Baby Catherine graced our world on
October 21. She is beautiful and marvelous and loved beyond any measure.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhB5vF6FhdjbZn1lWWWw3jPWq6YRgqFv9bGRpqpkM7ghGYxhxxCm7M2yk4oNzaGl8P3Aw8nIIfTv3dCVeiCCl1_sPHcc3je46WgnsSfCLBp9Ir9bGV4iSACk9VukLhu8ewKgFvkAUXvClG_GGjggdiQ3k5qipatgUlC4lHXtv1_A2zqth4dVJ99QC5nkQ=s1008" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="756" data-original-width="1008" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhB5vF6FhdjbZn1lWWWw3jPWq6YRgqFv9bGRpqpkM7ghGYxhxxCm7M2yk4oNzaGl8P3Aw8nIIfTv3dCVeiCCl1_sPHcc3je46WgnsSfCLBp9Ir9bGV4iSACk9VukLhu8ewKgFvkAUXvClG_GGjggdiQ3k5qipatgUlC4lHXtv1_A2zqth4dVJ99QC5nkQ=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">newborn Catherine 💖</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Flashback, it was a very rough entrance for both mama and
baby. Those who have borne children can imagine the experience of giving birth
to a nearly 11-pound baby. It seemed that everything that could go wrong, went
wrong. Mama and baby had to transfer to a bigger hospital shortly after the
birth. It was all so scary, and I didn’t really know how bad things were until
it was mostly over. Hospitals around our state still have strict Covid rules in
place. I didn’t get to put eyes on the sweet baby until she and Sarah were discharged.
I was thankful that Sarah and Catherine came home together. I myself had the
experience of leaving a baby (Erin) behind in the NICU and going home without
her – it was traumatic for me. We can thank the good Lord that all the pieces
fell into place, perfectly.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I got to stay with Sarah and her husband for a few days as
the new family adjusted to all the demands of a newborn in the house. What a
delight it was to have so much time with them and baby Catherine, and to be
able to help out a little. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">People say that grandchildren are very different from your
own. As I see it, the biggest difference is that I have all the fun and none of
the responsibility. As soon as my own babies fell asleep, I put them down and did
chores, or went to sleep. When Catherine falls asleep, I can just sit, hold her,
and drink her beauty into my memory. I have been going to visit at least once
every two weeks just to get some sweet baby time. <o:p></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgK0h2rrAb_mCzjKHwE-pCmTnV3LM-niPSMkTNN5olOfYEtT2WMFFiQrIh-Colr2cRAosUsW_VySpkD1biAuf5JcNsqvp6-uvrlpKh40q4-5NYNGsSlTacU5vcE_HCNPDDYYBeX70OZnVvtlecAkjNIEDtB1-0GEIfWBrUC-vJq538VQa0KN3mf7cSZqw=s2783" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2783" data-original-width="2783" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgK0h2rrAb_mCzjKHwE-pCmTnV3LM-niPSMkTNN5olOfYEtT2WMFFiQrIh-Colr2cRAosUsW_VySpkD1biAuf5JcNsqvp6-uvrlpKh40q4-5NYNGsSlTacU5vcE_HCNPDDYYBeX70OZnVvtlecAkjNIEDtB1-0GEIfWBrUC-vJq538VQa0KN3mf7cSZqw=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catherine - around 6 weeks</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkQbt1PkqFSgBgsfs35AG_-V2rnNsZLA4vgJf9vRf46WylYBO2TsKRRwMc3r_E4RUb8HW5BuCZK09jcTA7swu0MzVuV9WfT7DnGkODGDqSXoda4_mg42n4N6xfsJfaAyVmqPQePe2zqObKdkD8-K7kPW_xl-d9Jbs7ll2Y1rXxVB4x7kj9leC1RE__9A=s800" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkQbt1PkqFSgBgsfs35AG_-V2rnNsZLA4vgJf9vRf46WylYBO2TsKRRwMc3r_E4RUb8HW5BuCZK09jcTA7swu0MzVuV9WfT7DnGkODGDqSXoda4_mg42n4N6xfsJfaAyVmqPQePe2zqObKdkD8-K7kPW_xl-d9Jbs7ll2Y1rXxVB4x7kj9leC1RE__9A=w400-h400" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sarah and Catherine 💕</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p class="MsoNormal">I have not been blogging much this year. All work and no
play make a dull life. I need more adventure in my life – good adventure. Catherine is new frontier, but it’s time to
plan something. I am thinking of potential places to visit: Zion National Park,
Yosemite, the Blue Ridge Mountains (strong contender), and Florida (to visit my
mother). Someone wants to go to Hawaii, but the Covid restrictions seem still
to be too much hassle there. I would go more places if I had to wife to make
the travel plans for me. 😊</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>KYLadyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386201292445132711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-278845464908391168.post-39971855964632523982021-09-28T22:17:00.000-04:002021-09-28T22:17:25.527-04:00Milk pod<p>I was taking Miss Gracie for a walk and spied some milk pods
growing on the hillside beside the road. For those who may be unfamiliar with
what a milk pod is, it’s a seed pod that grows on milkweed plants which are
native to this part of the US. The plants
are tall and the blooms of native milkweed are unspectacular, but the blooms and
plants attract butterflies. I do have an affinity for butterflies. Monarch
butterflies are particularly fond of them.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wv64NJcUhlE/YVPJ1y5oQfI/AAAAAAAAEMo/LGMTu_IdMpcfJR3RZSSljyNCTBEjjd06QCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="685" data-original-width="508" height="364" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wv64NJcUhlE/YVPJ1y5oQfI/AAAAAAAAEMo/LGMTu_IdMpcfJR3RZSSljyNCTBEjjd06QCLcBGAsYHQ/w270-h364/image.png" width="270" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Milkweed pods</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Whenever I see a milk pod, my Grandmother Starr (my mother’s
mother) comes to mind. When I was very young, perhaps three or four years old,
I remember walking with my grandmother through a field that had many milk pods
in it. We made this walk when I visited her because it was a shortcut to get to
a nearby town. We walked because she
didn’t have a driver’s license – through the field, down a dirt road and across
some railroad tracks to a small town.
She sometimes took me to church meetings with her in the evening. Church ladies met in the basement and there
was no air conditioning, so the door was always standing open when we
arrived. The ladies sang hymns and
talked while I was usually given paper and pencil to entertain myself, which I
was happy to do.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I don’t know why I visited her without my brothers, but that
is how it was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe she liked me best. <span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">😊</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After church, we sometimes stopped in the
little town and got vanilla ice cream cones to eat as we walked back to her
home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I remember asking my grandmother if the milk pods have milk
in them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said they did, but I should
never try to drink it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She picked one off
a plant and pulled a long pin out of her purse (I think it was a hat pin or
perhaps a large straight pin that might be used to attach a corsage to a lapel).
She pierced the pod and sure enough, white sap came oozing out of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was in awe that she knew the pods had this
magic in them. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I didn’t know Grandmother Starr very well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She and my grandfather moved to California
before I was five years old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After they
moved away, I rarely saw them. What I remember most about her is that she had
red hair and she talked a lot. She was artistic – she painted pictures and wall
murals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She also wrote stories and
wanted to have them published.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never
had opportunity to read her work; I presume nothing was ever published.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I hope to live close enough to my grandchildren that we know
each other. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone’s daughter, Katie, has
Alice who is now four years old and is great fun to play with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Little ones are so unpredictable which makes for
great adventure. Unfortunately, we only see Alice once every three months or so…just
not often enough for her to get to know us. I don’t know if this will ever
change – it’s complicated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lxcv2RNaqnU/YVPLDxwcDHI/AAAAAAAAEM0/SzCAyEDx-0gl97QbtmoKx5-Z8tM6Uz9kACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_2924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="285" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lxcv2RNaqnU/YVPLDxwcDHI/AAAAAAAAEM0/SzCAyEDx-0gl97QbtmoKx5-Z8tM6Uz9kACLcBGAsYHQ/w380-h285/IMG_2924.JPG" width="380" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet Alice - 4th birthday party</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sarah will be having a baby any day now. We are so excited! I do hope to see this baby more often than I see Alice. I don’t want to be a stranger to it. I want it to recognize me and be happy to see me. I want to spoil it rotten and show it wondrous things. We are dreaming of a life to be brought into the world soon. God is good. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AE_FFE4X2Mg/YVPMVQFobuI/AAAAAAAAENA/ln_BCMYQW2Y8Z7WylQgg7GHp5g2aYIrxQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="201" data-original-width="144" height="290" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AE_FFE4X2Mg/YVPMVQFobuI/AAAAAAAAENA/ln_BCMYQW2Y8Z7WylQgg7GHp5g2aYIrxQCLcBGAsYHQ/w208-h290/image.png" width="208" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>KYLadyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386201292445132711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-278845464908391168.post-49168268219623823242021-07-05T00:27:00.001-04:002021-07-05T00:27:26.121-04:00Mourning Miss Molly<p> Our Molly died a few weeks ago. I miss her greatly. She
adopted us (actually, no, the girls invited her into our home despite my
insistence that we could most certainly NOT keep another cat) about 13 years
ago. The vet estimated that she was
about two years old at her first visit. Molly
was the most affectionate cat I’ve ever lived with. My belief was always that
she was grateful to have a home and people who cared about her, and so, she spent
a lot of time on my lap, on my desk, and on my bed. Maybe she was just wanting
to be near the person who usually fed her.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-12TYjYGyXjE/YOKIlbtZY5I/AAAAAAAAELA/T2JXxWm5SWcImAP2HvgIRQjDBSzB909RwCLcBGAsYHQ/s614/Molly_Cropped.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="479" data-original-width="614" height="327" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-12TYjYGyXjE/YOKIlbtZY5I/AAAAAAAAELA/T2JXxWm5SWcImAP2HvgIRQjDBSzB909RwCLcBGAsYHQ/w418-h327/Molly_Cropped.png" width="418" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet Molly MooMoo</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Molly got sick and the vet was not sure which condition
(heart or kidney) was the worst. Long story short, she just got too sick to live.
Erin was home when she died…I am grateful. Molly was an outdoor/indoor cat and she
conveyed clearly that she wanted to be outdoors. On her last full day of life,
Erin and I sat outside with her to love on her and to keep her from wandering
off into the woods to die. She mostly laid still (slept?) in the grass as we
watched and tended to her. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She refused
to drink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We brought her inside that
night because it seemed too cold for her, even on the porch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next morning, Erin got up to check on her
and was with her when she took her last breath. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">No euthanasia for Miss Molly because she did not seem to be
suffering and she always stressed out terribly anytime we took her to the vet.
I would have taken her if she showed signs of suffering. After she died, we
washed her, brushed her, and laid her in a box for burial. Emily came home and
we had a proper kitty funeral. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Miss Molly
joins our other beloved pets in the family pet cemetery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ho3cGZe4YJY/YOKI9M2dquI/AAAAAAAAELI/i8bHPV38Gs0eqVrhG-BDuAGSCaF7uK4KwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="280" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ho3cGZe4YJY/YOKI9M2dquI/AAAAAAAAELI/i8bHPV38Gs0eqVrhG-BDuAGSCaF7uK4KwCLcBGAsYHQ/w373-h280/IMG_0530.JPG" width="373" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miss Molly Beans</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For the first time in 40 years (perhaps more), there is no
cat in my life. It is odd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someday, I can
imagine going to the pound or an animal rescue to get another, or perhaps
another stray will turn up. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For now, we
will take time to grieve our Molly. <o:p></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sHCDzkoZLTs/YOKJ80_iVtI/AAAAAAAAELQ/WuEAsF7oQlkRyMyDex-x5qzho_oPaSYCgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_1514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="302" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sHCDzkoZLTs/YOKJ80_iVtI/AAAAAAAAELQ/WuEAsF7oQlkRyMyDex-x5qzho_oPaSYCgCLcBGAsYHQ/w403-h302/IMG_1514.JPG" width="403" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Molly</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>KYLadyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386201292445132711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-278845464908391168.post-37113945544652278102021-06-29T22:32:00.002-04:002021-06-29T22:32:16.152-04:00Beautiful Lake Tahoe Adventure<p>Earlier this month (June, 2021), Someone and I went on a
“real” vacation – just the two of us – to a place we’ve never been before. We stayed for a week, which was plenty of time
to explore and have dinner with my cousin (our
grandmothers were sisters). </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We stayed at David Walley’s Resort in Minden, Nevada.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The resort (David Walley’s) was wonderful –
everything about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s out in the
middle of nowhere – you get that impression when you see it from the highway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But, once you start getting familiar with the area, you realize that the
resort is very close to Carson City which has anything you could want, and
minutes from Kingsbury Grade and Route 50, both which take you over the mountains to Lake
Tahoe. Genoa is within easy walking distance from the resort. It's the oldest settlement in Nevada and very quaint. We loved our suite. The hot
springs were…well…interesting and different, and very beautiful. <o:p></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tRYj70PBbms/YNvV7GYps3I/AAAAAAAAEKQ/0KCiRgs9EXkGlgje5gJUnhYTSP5V4lYOgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_2686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="317" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tRYj70PBbms/YNvV7GYps3I/AAAAAAAAEKQ/0KCiRgs9EXkGlgje5gJUnhYTSP5V4lYOgCLcBGAsYHQ/w421-h317/IMG_2686.JPG" width="421" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of springs from our balcony. The lilac near the railing smelled heavenly!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The hot springs were what enticed David Walley to build a
resort in that location (many years ago). Hot water bubbles up through the
ground in puddles around there. It’s full of minerals that are somehow associated
with good health.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People with arthritis
and other ailments use to come and soak in the spring water long ago (as shown
in old pictures posted around the resort).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>On our last night at the resort, we tested out the hot springs. Because
of our litigious society, the resort modernized the springs experience for
guests by creating five small pools for people to sit in - they are much like swimming pools. They have to control
the temperature and filter the water so that people don’t get burned or
sick. We sat in several
of the pools (some were just too hot for one or both of us).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was interesting and pleasant at times, but
the water made my skin and swimsuit smell like sulfur. I was grateful to take a
shower afterwards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was very much like
sitting in a bubbling, hot jacuzzi that smelled bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We could see the hot spring (kind of like a creek) from our
balcony at the resort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Steam rose off of
it in the mornings – the temperature there was in the 40s (F), even in
June.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were walking along the creek on
the path when we came to a water puddle with what looked like little air bubbles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I watched the bubbles for a moment and
wondered if the water was actually boiling, or if perhaps a creature was below the
surface, or perhaps something below such as a pipe was leaking and causing air
bubbles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Silly me, I stuck my fingers in
the water to test it…yes, it was boiling water. <span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">😊</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Lake Tahoe is beautiful! The first time we saw it (just as we drove over
the top of the last mountain), we said “OHHH” simultaneously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pictures cannot do it justice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The water is bluest blue and along the shore
where it’s not so deep, you can see rocks on the bottom: clean, clear
water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took more than 300 photos of
mountains, lakes, pinecones, trees, and flowers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hiked 9 to 14 miles everyday that we were
there. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My two favorite places were Spooner Lake and Sugar Pines
Point State Park. The sugar pines have the most gigantic pinecones I’ve ever
seen in my life. They are 14 to 15 inches long and when you try to wrap your
hands around them, your fingers don’t touch. Spooner Lake has a trail around
the entire lake (a little less than three miles) with beautiful, tall aspen
trees and lupines growing all around it. The Spooner Lake trail is easy walking
– the trail is well worn so you don’t have to constantly look down to keep from
tripping over rocks and roots. <o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fYoWwSv7v4k/YNvW9U5KZpI/AAAAAAAAEKY/vhYamotKq08cWvRlD_ievro4HdglFlMNQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_2804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fYoWwSv7v4k/YNvW9U5KZpI/AAAAAAAAEKY/vhYamotKq08cWvRlD_ievro4HdglFlMNQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_2804.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bVOCAGTzSs0/YNvXBRNDmEI/AAAAAAAAEKc/eNtlFpzRqPoZYH8VaFwS67FkzroICEKowCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_2785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bVOCAGTzSs0/YNvXBRNDmEI/AAAAAAAAEKc/eNtlFpzRqPoZYH8VaFwS67FkzroICEKowCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_2785.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dd2_7QMjk3Q/YNvXRtf-brI/AAAAAAAAEKo/oK9QhFwhiXI0dVu7U2zaUwsA_jZsCo2gACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_2814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dd2_7QMjk3Q/YNvXRtf-brI/AAAAAAAAEKo/oK9QhFwhiXI0dVu7U2zaUwsA_jZsCo2gACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_2814.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our flights out and back were uneventful and surprisingly (pleasantly)
on time. Flying used to be fun, but these days, not so much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had to wear masks in the airports and on
the flights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not a fan of masks, but
I follow rules about such things. I am hoping the rules change for vaccinated
adults (at least) before the next time I fly. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For anyone who enjoys hiking and biking, swimming and boating,
or just walking outside, visit Lake Tahoe. You won’t be disappointed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>KYLadyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386201292445132711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-278845464908391168.post-44213061793113896912021-05-31T12:59:00.002-04:002021-06-01T09:11:43.017-04:00I'm still standing<p>Oh my! Time goes by (as it does) and it’s all I can do to find time to participate in my own life. University #1 has wrapped up for the spring term and I’m now on vacation until the summer break ends. With two full months (plus a few extra days off) from University #1, it should feel like Endless Summer, but it will be nothing like Endless Summer. I have to migrate five courses to a new platform over the summer. My estimate?? I’m thinking 40 – 60 hours per course. You’re welcome, University #1 (it’s time and labor gifted – I don’t “work” or get paid during summer months). </p><p>COVID seems to be winding down in our area. Thank you, Jesus. I’m grateful for the vaccine because I’m tired of wearing masks and worrying about germs. I have LOVED working from home all semester – that part of the pandemic has been most agreeable. It was always my dream job to work full time from home and I got to experience it for six months. It was completely marvelous! Come August, it’s going to be very difficult to leave Gracie and Molly and go back to campus. Even more than that, I’ll miss watching my birds and squirrels at the bird feeders. Having fed the birds every morning, you can’t even imagine the increased diversity of birds in our yard. I’ve been working to identify and learn about them: the ones I did know (cardinal, blue jay, gold finch, dove, sparrow, wren, bluebird, chickadee, titmouse) and many new ones: Northern flicker, towhee, downy woodpecker, red-bellied woodpecker, rose-breasted grosbeak, purple finch, and others I can’t think of right now. I love watching birds.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-esmYur-Momg/YLUT6Ii7nVI/AAAAAAAAEIg/TejE5I2SV9sbi57-cIxl-DMEI-Jsgq-xgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Northern%2BFlicker%2Bvisits.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-esmYur-Momg/YLUT6Ii7nVI/AAAAAAAAEIg/TejE5I2SV9sbi57-cIxl-DMEI-Jsgq-xgCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/Northern%2BFlicker%2Bvisits.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Northern Flicker - one of my favorite visitors</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>One of the most delightful outcomes of feeding the birds regularly is that we now have doves living near our house. They coo in the early morning and late evening hours. Hearing them triggers memories of my tiny, upstairs bedroom on 20th street – the last house I lived in before leaving home to embrace the world on my own. My bedroom was on the corner of the house with two windows (one on the south side and one on the east side. We had no air conditioning in the house so I slept with both windows open in the summers. My bed was in the corner between the windows where there was the most breeze. Just outside my front window was a huge maple tree. Doves nested in the tree. Their mournful coos serenaded me in the early morning hours, and it was a lovely to listen to. </p><p>In February 2021, we had a horrific ice storm. Thousands of people in our area were without utilities, and it took nearly six weeks to restore services. The ice bought down trees which blocked and damaged roads. Trees fell on houses and garages. It was devastation for many people. We were so fortunate that we were not affected directly. The National Guard was called in to help with repairs. Every morning for weeks, a fleet of military helicopters flew over top our house around 7:30 AM. They were used to drop supplies and people to work areas and to identify places where roads and bridges were impassible, and utility poles were broken. Having not been inconvenienced, we were able to get out for Gracie’s walks and appreciate the magic of ice on trees and plants. When the sun shined on the ice, the beauty was beyond breathtaking. Pictures can’t do it justice.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UsvMb4K5Htg/YLUUTsECDdI/AAAAAAAAEIo/Hd-R74K1t3kPonc72kgmwv54X69IeJxywCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Erin%2Bsnow%2Bcat.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UsvMb4K5Htg/YLUUTsECDdI/AAAAAAAAEIo/Hd-R74K1t3kPonc72kgmwv54X69IeJxywCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/Erin%2Bsnow%2Bcat.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erin made a snow cat</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pGJfqbuK3vU/YLUUUfWmAPI/AAAAAAAAEIw/B28auP6MygMoN2DhgjD0p170rH7SOGgLACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ice%2Btrees%2Bcloser.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pGJfqbuK3vU/YLUUUfWmAPI/AAAAAAAAEIw/B28auP6MygMoN2DhgjD0p170rH7SOGgLACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/ice%2Btrees%2Bcloser.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3rLiogUls7k/YLUUUVf1a6I/AAAAAAAAEIs/NZ1IyamrmvUrQOuj7QE1_fpuGhN6fSRdQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ice%2Btrees%2Btops.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3rLiogUls7k/YLUUUVf1a6I/AAAAAAAAEIs/NZ1IyamrmvUrQOuj7QE1_fpuGhN6fSRdQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/ice%2Btrees%2Btops.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ice on the trees</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Fast forward to spring. The KYLady garden is well underway. We are feasting on lettuce now – it is tender and delightful! Soon, broccoli will be ready to cut. We also have tomatoes, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, bell peppers, cucumbers, beans, and corn underway. </p><p>My irises are amazing this year, though now after a lot of rain these past few days, they are mostly gone. The deer ate all of them last year, so this year I began spraying them with repellent starting early spring before buds even formed. The deer will eat almost anything, so spraying Deer Fence (the kind I use) is a frequent task. I have to spray almost all my flowers and almost every bush. They don’t seem to eat rhododendrons which is good because ours are big and would need a lot of spraying. Deer Fence isn’t cheap and it’s a miserable product to use – it stinks SO BAD!! </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NdIUEkgW1j8/YLUU--sW_OI/AAAAAAAAEJE/yYWLHyTistQ7k9jGZZwJC3OH-O-5SUvmACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/iris%2Bbirdbath.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NdIUEkgW1j8/YLUU--sW_OI/AAAAAAAAEJE/yYWLHyTistQ7k9jGZZwJC3OH-O-5SUvmACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/iris%2Bbirdbath.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These irises smell like licorice.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bUOzILaNIdQ/YLUU-hKkCYI/AAAAAAAAEJA/V59G9EQ837omzv-ogw1XXp_Hq28VKQE-QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/iris%2Bgarden.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bUOzILaNIdQ/YLUU-hKkCYI/AAAAAAAAEJA/V59G9EQ837omzv-ogw1XXp_Hq28VKQE-QCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/iris%2Bgarden.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful irises</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Someone broke a bone in his foot about two months ago. He’s had to give up everything he enjoys – karate, tennis, running, and even golf. He is now much better (praise God, because I am a lousy and impatient nursemaid) and it’s a good thing because we are leaving on vacation next week - we are going to see Lake Tahoe and some of the places near there (Reno, Carson City, and maybe Yosemite). Mainly, we plan to hike, but we are there for six days, so I’m not sure if he can hike for six days. Someone likes to gamble so no doubt he will spend time in casinos. I have a relative (my great-aunt’s granddaughter) who lives in Reno that we will meet somewhere for lunch or dinner. It will be nice to see her and her husband. I hope Lake Tahoe is as beautiful as the pictures I’ve seen. </p><p>And now for the BIGGEST news of all...imagine drumroll...Sarah is pregnant with my grandbaby!! She and Desmond are preparing themselves for all that is to come, as if that is really possible. I think childbirth and living with a newborn are things that are impossible to really understand until it’s experienced. It’s kind of like trying to describe what honeysuckle smells like. I could describe it for an hour, but you wouldn’t truly know what it smells like until you actually smelled it. </p><p>My grandbaby is due in early October. Sarah and Desmond do not want to know the baby’s gender before the big day, but I do. It’s not that it really matters because I have no preference, but it’s hard to imagine this baby in clear detail without knowing gender. The baby is “it” rather than “him” or “her” at this point. Whatever it is, this baby, I can’t wait to meet him or her, hold him or her, play with his or her tiny feet and hands, and kiss his or her soft skin. He or she will be beautiful regardless of gender and a blessing to our family.</p><div><br /></div>KYLadyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386201292445132711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-278845464908391168.post-33354687678778873102020-11-29T10:28:00.003-05:002020-11-29T10:28:48.710-05:00The Beast: 2020<p> This year, 2020, has been quite a butt. Who in this world
could deny it? At the top of the list in
terms of what is the worst thing about 2020, hands down, COVID-19: death,
suffering, businesses lost, economic devastation for too many people, riots,
destruction of art, government corruption, and on and on. Yet, I am grateful
for all that has been wonderful this year: my new hip, a visit to the Smokey
Mountains, lots of golf, kayaking, hiking, my work, my new car, my pets, and of
course, last but certainly not least (definitely most), my children.</p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q1CplUZ0dPg/X8O4IQszhdI/AAAAAAAAEF4/iwQKdzVUjmQh2iZ0Zu1r4PvQl2qADrHogCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_2048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q1CplUZ0dPg/X8O4IQszhdI/AAAAAAAAEF4/iwQKdzVUjmQh2iZ0Zu1r4PvQl2qADrHogCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_2048.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">October kayaking on the Little Sandy<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>My family lineage has been decimated in 2020. It seems that
way to me because having been raised by my father’s parents in circumstances
where parents took care of great grandparents, I knew my great aunts and uncles
(and great grandparents) pretty well – I saw them frequently. All the great
aunts and uncles on my father’s side passed away this year, as did two of their
children. And then my father died unexpectedly.
Well, I’m not sure it makes sense to say unexpectedly given that he was
83 years old and had Parkinson’s. But
the last I had heard, he was getting along pretty well and was in no danger of
dying. Then came a phone call that he’s
in hospice and may not survive the night.
My brother and I made an emergency visit (a five-hour drive) to see him –
Covid be damned. I had not seen him in over a year because of timing of my usual visits and Covid (and that’s
another very long story that I won’t go into). He was barely conscious, but he uttered a few intelligible
words...I don’t think he knew who we were.
He looked bad, but not horrible. His
hair looked marvelous – he always had great hair. He looked like my grandfather and my brothers. He died a few days after our visit.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f7boFXeRpD4/X8O7RRG5LhI/AAAAAAAAEGM/jlcmfDQh4ngl0xGNzzgp94kkdpZOwj9tgCLcBGAsYHQ/s497/IMG_E1995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="491" data-original-width="497" height="316" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f7boFXeRpD4/X8O7RRG5LhI/AAAAAAAAEGM/jlcmfDQh4ngl0xGNzzgp94kkdpZOwj9tgCLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h316/IMG_E1995.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rest in peace, Dad<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>It makes me sad that I didn’t know my dad. He didn’t come
around much, and he didn’t stay long when he came. As children, I could count on one hand the number of times we visited him at his home. His wife and my grandmother
hated each other. That was the primary reason – that is what I always thought,
anyway. Hate. Nothing good comes from
hate. Life is <b>much</b> too short for that.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The long dark winter is nearly upon us. Early last summer (I
blogged about this in my last post), I planted lupines and lavender in a tray
with hopes to populate my new flowerbed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The seeds emerged. All but two of the lavender shriveled up and died.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two survivors lasted until mid-September.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lupines looked healthy, even sprouted
second leaves, but then, they too died. Failure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m hoping next year will be better. It will
be better! My first attempt was a “learning experience”. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My girls have given me gift cards for seeds and roses. I can
imagine a glorious yard of wondrous gardens, heavenly scents wafting on the
breeze, and stunning blossoms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
reality is that we have many large trees, so very little sun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our soil is clay so we have drainage issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Voracious deer eat nearly everything they
come to, and we have a plethora of rodents. Don’t even get me started on the
Japanese beetles! Excuses, excuses, but there are solutions. All it takes is lots of work and diligence.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Molly hunts and kills things (mostly rodents, but sometimes
snakes, and baby rabbits or young squirrels) every day, leaving poor little ravaged
bodies on the doorstep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feed the birds
and the rodents take their fair share.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The bird feeders are an attractive nuisance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
love, love, love my trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could not
bear to have any of them cut down. My favorite is the hickory, which as you
might guess, is also the squirrels’ favorite. Nevertheless, I am determined to
find a way to have so many beautiful flowers that every bee and butterfly in
the county will visit us.<o:p></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_K8HiSppaJg/X8O8LNcwchI/AAAAAAAAEGY/qVgxl4CR7lcOJ634GS4HBCeX9NcVNkSrwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_2007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_K8HiSppaJg/X8O8LNcwchI/AAAAAAAAEGY/qVgxl4CR7lcOJ634GS4HBCeX9NcVNkSrwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_2007.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gracie and Molly (the Relentless)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p class="MsoNormal">I cleaned out one of our birdhouses yesterday. A mama bird
had worked hard to fill it up with moss and bits of straw and leaves. I read
that birds are more likely to inhabit a house if it is clean. I checked the newer
house (made by my very talented son-in-law) but there is no evidence that
anything nested in it. It must be that I
didn’t hang it up in time last spring. I'm hoping a bluebird will take it next spring. I made a third birdhouse from a large gourd
and hung it yesterday, deciding that if I wait until I paint it or until Spring
to hang it, another year will go by. The gourd has been sitting in our kitchen
and garage for nearly three years. It was finally time to take action. Left in its natural state, perhaps it is best to just let it be what it is. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Zx8jjcdm_Y/X8O9GbHEurI/AAAAAAAAEGk/0xe0QFZ2aVcc43LZo8wXOFkwHnMyNRosgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_2172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Zx8jjcdm_Y/X8O9GbHEurI/AAAAAAAAEGk/0xe0QFZ2aVcc43LZo8wXOFkwHnMyNRosgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_2172.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">gourd birdhouse<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">I've not blogged in a long time and since my last visit, I see that Blogger has added new edit features. Well done!</span></p><p></p><br />KYLadyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386201292445132711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-278845464908391168.post-3071218566953023692020-06-24T10:28:00.001-04:002020-06-24T10:29:34.869-04:00Great Expectations<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Summer is underway here in northeastern Kentucky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is much to be done and yet, it seems
that the garden(s) and flowers consume most of my time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The big garden has cabbage, Brussels sprouts,
broccoli, cantaloupe, tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, butternut squash,
beans, and corn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The raised bed has...2
surviving lettuce plants and a few spindly radishes...damn it!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a very long story, but my theory is that
the soil is tired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Late last week, I dug
up 80% of it and mixed in a bag of 10-10-10...and replanted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m delighted to report that a few weeks ago, in in the late
evening after an unseasonably hot day, I was able to smell the blossoms of my
Carolina Allspice bush.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At last!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all these years of impatient waiting
and disappointment, the bush has finally matured enough to distinguish
itself...if only a tiny bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My great
grandparents had one of these bushes at the far edge of their giant yard in the
country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They called it a <i>sweet shrub;
</i>my goodness, it was sweet!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the evenings,
the scent was heavenly and so strong that it even drowned out the honey suckle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had hoped that my bush could someday smell
at least half as wonderful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What my bush
smells like is not what I remembered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
bush smells a bit like warm wine with a subtle hint of licorice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not unpleasant because you have to be close to
smell it at all; however, It does not meet expectations (yet). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-12IFQz-40IU/XvNhoq6IlII/AAAAAAAAED4/qfGWZ0Zsa0IOP2DROfsRQYnZoKxkQVfWACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-12IFQz-40IU/XvNhoq6IlII/AAAAAAAAED4/qfGWZ0Zsa0IOP2DROfsRQYnZoKxkQVfWACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1428.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carolina Allspice (sweet shrub) - taking over our backyard</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I dug up and planted a new flowerbed. It has a Mr. Lincoln rose planted in it (a
gift from Sarah), coreopsis, irises, dahlias, marigolds, and ageratums. It has a new birdbath in it as well, with a
solar-powered fountain. It’s a work in
progress. I want to enlarge it and buy a
peony for it. Today, I started some
lupines and lavender seeds...if I get any plants from this attempt, they will
also go into the new bed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zF9T-xlJedo/XvNh6OgeN3I/AAAAAAAAEEA/_ScQdj6nSFw5PAr0FGDHV3e3bLvl00w_wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zF9T-xlJedo/XvNh6OgeN3I/AAAAAAAAEEA/_ScQdj6nSFw5PAr0FGDHV3e3bLvl00w_wCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1571.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lupines and lavender underway (I hope)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In other exciting news, I have three lemon trees!!! I planted lemon seeds in a pot...only because
I had seeds from lemons where I made a lemon meringue pie from scratch when we
first had the Covid breakout, and because I had a pot of good soil that
something had died in. “Why not plant
these seeds and see what happens?” I asked myself. It’s been like a month ago, and I have been
watering the pot whenever I water my other plants on the porch (once a week??). No special TLC or prayers...just let it be,
and I am rewarded. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CzruawGo2l4/XvNiOJSnQ9I/AAAAAAAAEEI/ydcm7fnBSxkYuFUwLECOF5IZ2EDNHSSzgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CzruawGo2l4/XvNiOJSnQ9I/AAAAAAAAEEI/ydcm7fnBSxkYuFUwLECOF5IZ2EDNHSSzgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1572.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three lemon trees emerged after about a month of neglect</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On the smaller back porch, I have beautiful annuals in a
variety of old pots. These get regular
fertilizer and daily watering. I LOVE
THEM!! They need a lot of work to stay
alive – excellent soil, fertilizer scheduled, watering once and sometimes twice
a day, bug spray sometimes, deadhead the spent flowers, etc. The other day, I was walking around the shady
side of the house and what would you NEVER expect to see?? A petunia that grew up (volunteer, as my grandmother
would say) through the dank clay and bloomed!!
God makes His miracles happen where ever he wants. Blessed be the
fruit. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pERbcXZvMpY/XvNiqQq9s5I/AAAAAAAAEEU/XWt8ES-Yi44ME4sx26sTe_WJKEk5yxgDQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pERbcXZvMpY/XvNiqQq9s5I/AAAAAAAAEEU/XWt8ES-Yi44ME4sx26sTe_WJKEk5yxgDQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1502.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By God's hand, is this possible</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br /></div>
KYLadyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386201292445132711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-278845464908391168.post-24528133351545104312020-05-15T23:15:00.000-04:002020-05-15T23:15:17.120-04:00KYLady is a material girl?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Madonna says that we are living in a material world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need only to log into Amazon to see just
how material we are, but there are some things you can’t buy on Amazon (and
recently, I learned that some things are available on Amazon now that aren’t
available directly from the seller...apparently they are currently only in
stock in an Amazon warehouse).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Me and Amazon have been spending a lot of time together
lately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not typical for me to go on
a spending spree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My brother told me
once that I’m as tight with money as the bark on a tree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As much as I hate his accusation (perhaps
maybe a shaggy bark hickory or sycamore), I do have a very hard time spending
money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even when there is something
needed and the money is readily available, it’s hard for me to decide to spend.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether it’s $1, or $100 or $1,000, it’s
the same angst.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s just how I am. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyway, <a href="http://floatdownhere.blogspot.com/2020/05/and-thats-wrap.html" title="link to post about kayak trip">my last kayak trip</a> resulted in two
lost kayak parts: plug, and toggle handle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The handle is a convenience, but the plug is important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was unable to get replacements from the
manufacturer, so I scoured Amazon and found parts that hopefully will work
(they will be delivered tomorrow...so I won’t be waiting much longer).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The handle will be fine; the plug is
iffy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, while out on Amazon, I found a flour sifter too, and a
garden hose, and a sprayer nozzle thingie...and some other stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I reordered some things because it was
such a good deal and I can use them again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I suppose it’s no different than walking through WalMart and just
picking stuff up and adding it to the cart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And then I bought two birdfeeders and a bag of dried meal worms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then I bought a solar-powered fountain
for a birdbath...which is yet to be purchased.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All that stuff is on it’s way...and it makes me giddy to
think we’ll have Christmas in May.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
that’s not all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today, I shopped for and
purchased a new laptop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actually, I’ve
been shopping for a new laptop since at least last November.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mine is approaching six years old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The paint is worn off E, S, and D.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are things I can’t do with this laptop (mostly
when making instructional videos) because the processor speed is too slow and
the video card is too old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only
that, this old laptop is 5.5 pounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
new one will be less than 4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s not
much difference, but when you’re lugging a laptop around for long, it’s a huge
difference.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The new machine has an SSD –
it will be lightning in comparison to my SATA sloth hard drive.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As if that were not enough thrill for one day, I went to two
greenhouses and bought four flats of plants and two pots of columbine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can spend an entire day strolling through a
greenhouse. Someone declined to come with, thank the good Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would have been bored to death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I came home with green
peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, butternut squash (something new to try), snapdragons,
impatiens, begonias, alyssum, verbena, and zinnias.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have morning glory, lettuce, and radish
seeds to plant, and also, we grow beans and corn from seeds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will plant the morning glories this
weekend, and start setting out flowers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone always wants to wait
until June to plant the vegetable seeds – we have to do Myrtle Beach in July
every year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can’t agree on things in
the big garden...so mostly it’s his garden because of that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did finally convince him last year that
watering in the evening causes fungus to grow and ruins everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w9UsucEcn1A/Xr9Z1XDDGzI/AAAAAAAAEDE/VHIHMc0-8qQ3MWFlYPEb6NNoW4hOyT2kwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w9UsucEcn1A/Xr9Z1XDDGzI/AAAAAAAAEDE/VHIHMc0-8qQ3MWFlYPEb6NNoW4hOyT2kwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1357.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful columbine growing wild along the Michael Tygart trail, Greenbo Lake State Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When the governor opens the state more, Sarah and I are
going shopping for my birdbath, and a peony, and perhaps some perennials. I bought columbine today – these are
perennials. The two I set out last fall
(deep discounted because it was end of season) did not survive the winter. Alas, we will try again. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The hummingbirds are back and there seems to be many more visiting
the feeder this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The woodpeckers
love sugar water as much as the hummers do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This year, we are seeing lots of bluebirds in our backyard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This inspired me to order mealworms and a
feeder designed for serving up mealworms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The birdbath with fountain is for the hummers, but other birds will
likely use it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My son-in-law gifted me with
a birdhouse for Christmas – he made it himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I hung it early this week which may be too late for this year, but it’s
available now for any creature who wants shelter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have another birdhouse made out of a gourd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There might be something nesting in it, but
it’s pretty much hidden from view and I haven’t checked it this spring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nMBF1E4XPCY/Xr9aO_VDFDI/AAAAAAAAEDM/TF8y4_M7zEQigR_1NpVyPhwHD0RnCjWRQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nMBF1E4XPCY/Xr9aO_VDFDI/AAAAAAAAEDM/TF8y4_M7zEQigR_1NpVyPhwHD0RnCjWRQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1371.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New birdhouse built by my son-in-law</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of the things I love about working from home is filling
the bird feeders in the morning and watching the birds and squirrels while working. That, and spending days with Gracie and Molly makes the best possible work environment. I’m living the dream, but unfortunately, it's because of the pandemic. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yaEMBxyZsfc/Xr9agKmQt1I/AAAAAAAAEDU/3ma7UMowER42_LE3CPE5BlbZo5faFVodACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yaEMBxyZsfc/Xr9agKmQt1I/AAAAAAAAEDU/3ma7UMowER42_LE3CPE5BlbZo5faFVodACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1329.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miss Molly loves watching birds and squirrels out my window too</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br /></div>
KYLadyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386201292445132711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-278845464908391168.post-53099806650987725372020-05-09T11:44:00.000-04:002020-05-09T11:44:11.164-04:00and that's a wrap<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Spring 2020 semester for University #1 is done (for me,
anyway).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Final grades are calculated and
posted, retention forms completed and submitted, and courses closed to student
access.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This really was a very successful
semester in terms of my students, not that I did anything different this
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nobody withdrew from any of my
classes – that’s never happened before, and probably never will again!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, it’s 100% retention and this reflects
well on me, though I’ve never felt like I have much control over
retention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shit happens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shit especially seems to happen to people
attending University #1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am flexible
when students come to me with their myriad of unfortunate events and situations,
but ultimately, it’s up to them whether or not they deal with stuff and get
back on track, or just give up.</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Sadly, there are no graduation ceremonies this spring. I hope University #1 will plan a ceremony later in the year, but right now, nothing is planned. High schools have already commenced in virtual ceremonies. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Someone and I went on a grand adventure last Saturday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a fabulous spring day – cloudless, 70
degrees – just magnificent!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We met up
with some of Someone’s YMCA basketball buddies and their wives for kayaking on
Tygart Creek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have never been to this
creek, but had heard it can be dangerous at times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone assured me it would not be dangerous
and his buddies were very familiar with paddling this creek every spring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I trusted. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Long story short, we parked in a grassy area in the median
of the Interstate – between two bridges that cross above Tygart Creek very near
the Olive Hill exit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This, of course, is
not good practice...actually, it’s illegal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We unloaded kayaks and some took their empty trucks to the take-out spot
farther downstream, and then one guy brought everyone back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We tossed kayaks over a security fence – they
tumbled roughly to the creek far below.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I must add that it did not please me to have to treat me dear kayak so
brutally, but there was really no other way with this location.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we climbed over and carefully picked our
way down the muddy, rocky, slippery slope to the tall weeds at the edge of the
creek.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We put in off the rocks right into white water – this was a
virgin experience for me with my kayak in water this rough (about Class 1
rapid...or perhaps something less than Class 2).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went first and the guys assured me that
things got calm around the bend of the creek and I could wait there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was exhilarating to say the least, but I
made it without issue through the rapids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When the water calmed, I turned around to watch others come
through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Twenty minutes went by and
still nobody came, and then finally, two came through successfully, and then
here came Someone paddling hard, too hard, and he flipped over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His kayak came on downstream and I snagged
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone fought his way over to shore
with his paddle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two guys worked hard to
paddle back up against the current and to take his kayak back to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Long story short, Someone had already flipped
over several times before I ever saw him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The water was not deep, fortunately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>To be fair, three others flipped over in those rapids.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tygart creek is beautiful, but there were trees down across
the creek that we had to negotiate, and places where the water was too shallow
to paddle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are beautiful cliffs in
places, waterfalls, and wildlife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
great fun, but I didn’t take many photos because mostly I was working to stay
upright in white water or watching the creek bed in front of me to avoid
getting stuck on trees and rocks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
was not a leisurely trip, but great fun nonetheless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone had fun despite being wet the whole
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He borrowed a kayak for this
trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think he’ll be wanting to buy one
this summer.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qc98FGm-Hdc/XrbML6T_6XI/AAAAAAAAEBU/X-DKwYxfUxE5D_j56BR7rwzfbjHDptaxwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qc98FGm-Hdc/XrbML6T_6XI/AAAAAAAAEBU/X-DKwYxfUxE5D_j56BR7rwzfbjHDptaxwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1289.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Someone ahead of me (in red) on Tygart Creek</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K5PT1DwKtjM/XrbMMN57VNI/AAAAAAAAEBY/GXClX6PYt5QPceA4-8UO4Odo_Z7qqAb9QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K5PT1DwKtjM/XrbMMN57VNI/AAAAAAAAEBY/GXClX6PYt5QPceA4-8UO4Odo_Z7qqAb9QCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1290.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-96vPGvUXxZs/XrbMMDfKwTI/AAAAAAAAEBc/wF__fDqN5W0RXblEHOED6JZRz9hkPtiiACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-96vPGvUXxZs/XrbMMDfKwTI/AAAAAAAAEBc/wF__fDqN5W0RXblEHOED6JZRz9hkPtiiACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1311.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We stopped for a break on Tygart Creek (my beauty is lime green)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The pandemic gave me reason to blow the dust off my sewing
machine for the purpose to make masks.
The governor of our fair state has ordered/requested all people to wear
masks in public staring May 11. Indeed,
the college president has requested that we wear masks starting May 11 if we
are coming to campus. This will be the
new norm, it seems. I made masks for me
and Someone, and also for my brother, Erin, and Emily. Sarah has been making masks for months...she
is an expert at making masks by now. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-48mofdUaUMo/XrbMt0fYUbI/AAAAAAAAEBs/_ltq81rfElcb-3vfui9Od51KAFchaN0WQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-48mofdUaUMo/XrbMt0fYUbI/AAAAAAAAEBs/_ltq81rfElcb-3vfui9Od51KAFchaN0WQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1239.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">KyLady in green mask (of course, green)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ebGUvBXrDmM/XrbMt6a6_zI/AAAAAAAAEBo/xP_HM6On8FQw6bwFOXceA3c5mMcUhVFUACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ebGUvBXrDmM/XrbMt6a6_zI/AAAAAAAAEBo/xP_HM6On8FQw6bwFOXceA3c5mMcUhVFUACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1340.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miss Erin approves</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Also, rather than doing things that desperately need doing
(like cleaning house or decluttering), I’ve been baking: cookies, lemon
meringue pie from scratch, cinnamon rolls from scratch, and white bread. None of this is good for us to be eating, but
Someone eats the lion’s share (and sometimes the lioness’s share as well). Someone is an exercise bulimic so it’s OK
that he eats so much; he just runs extra miles. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OdDIGO7dxhw/XrbNKTkKBFI/AAAAAAAAEB8/JKFSlLoiyqsMwvFPwVZc9PUaFmXD8xhtACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OdDIGO7dxhw/XrbNKTkKBFI/AAAAAAAAEB8/JKFSlLoiyqsMwvFPwVZc9PUaFmXD8xhtACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1219.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">white bread (recipe makes two loaves)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gzlHHTFmvPI/XrbNK6HHOmI/AAAAAAAAECE/94RdlUqcrzAnYLiu1uEBiPJljPyXjeuvgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gzlHHTFmvPI/XrbNK6HHOmI/AAAAAAAAECE/94RdlUqcrzAnYLiu1uEBiPJljPyXjeuvgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1233.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lemon meringue pie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MsrqydZS-Pk/XrbNK3XzHDI/AAAAAAAAECA/j0Ehscj5UgsUC6JixZJYd1rd2igevygkwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MsrqydZS-Pk/XrbNK3XzHDI/AAAAAAAAECA/j0Ehscj5UgsUC6JixZJYd1rd2igevygkwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1235.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pie after Someone cut himself ONE piece</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0gK8vnc9DBY/XrbNLHeRgJI/AAAAAAAAECI/ZChSTpWz0xkLKO-O9hQ3RECN-Vio7h2UgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0gK8vnc9DBY/XrbNLHeRgJI/AAAAAAAAECI/ZChSTpWz0xkLKO-O9hQ3RECN-Vio7h2UgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1259.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cinnamon rolls after Someone had ONE (serving) for breakfast </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ever since being able to climb stairs after my hip
replacement, I’ve been sleeping in a spare bedroom. It’s really nice having my own space...I’m
not sure that I’ll ever rejoin Someone in the master bedroom. For one reason, I sleep better alone, despite
sharing my little bed with Gracie and Molly.
Someone likes to watch TV late into the night. If he gets up early to run, he flips on
lights and rattles around like a bear foraging through garbage cans. The spare room was Emily’s room at one
time. She selected the paint color, the
most God-awful Pepto-Bismol pink that you can imagine. I changed out the ruffled curtains yesterday,
and the next task will be to paint the tiny room something reasonable. Later this year, I hope to have the entire
upstairs refloored. No more carpet!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qtkEPi5jE7g/XrbN89YkJyI/AAAAAAAAECY/FJCgHJEuOUglQZ_tr1bX48wEd8frZ1bLACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qtkEPi5jE7g/XrbN89YkJyI/AAAAAAAAECY/FJCgHJEuOUglQZ_tr1bX48wEd8frZ1bLACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1255.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miss Molly Flufftail purrs loudly at night</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KsNmBsEKHZE/XrbN9WrXkxI/AAAAAAAAECs/Km3xdAzM5ZUDjdJ0x2KSSfyDCvqel_CzQCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_1258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KsNmBsEKHZE/XrbN9WrXkxI/AAAAAAAAECs/Km3xdAzM5ZUDjdJ0x2KSSfyDCvqel_CzQCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_1258.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gracie does not share the bed well.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6c82iT0MOec/XrbN9aNRDWI/AAAAAAAAECo/b7fS98hb0wgmY7i86KnPiNmt5NvsVI6dgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_1339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6c82iT0MOec/XrbN9aNRDWI/AAAAAAAAECo/b7fS98hb0wgmY7i86KnPiNmt5NvsVI6dgCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_1339.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No more ruffled curtains in KyLady's house - little girls grew up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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It’s time to be scrubbing the porch and setting my
houseplants outside, and getting the garden planted. So much to do, so little time!! But today is another fabulous, cool spring day. Someone and I are taking Gracie for a long hike near Grayson Lake today. Play today, work tomorrow. </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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KYLadyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386201292445132711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-278845464908391168.post-84956395867510207532020-04-12T19:59:00.000-04:002020-04-12T19:59:14.893-04:00All hell<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Oh dear – its been a very long time since I last
blogged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone and I had a marvelous
mini-vacay, returning home just a few days before all hell broke loose with the
Corona virus (COVID-19).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a
perfect time of year to go – early March (last days of University #1’s Spring
Break) – we spent two days hiking in the Smoky Mountains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The weather forecast was supposed to be rain,
rain, and more rain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As it turned out,
the weather was cool but not cold, the skies were cloudy, but no rain at all,
and the sun peeked out a few times as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ideal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Thanks to my surgery and efforts with physical therapy, I’m
proud to say that I was able to hike 6.5 miles up and down mountain sides on
the first day, and nearly 8 miles the second day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A restaurant clerk recommended a marvelous
app, which I downloaded and we used (and still use) – the AllTrails app.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It uses your phone’s GPS to show trails near
you – you select a trail and the app sends directions to your selected navigation
app to take you to the trailhead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perfect
technology for when you are unfamiliar and you don’t want to waste time driving
around looking for a trail (well, perfect as long as you have a signal so that
you can use the app). <o:p></o:p></div>
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The Smoky Mountains are beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lots of rocky creeks - the streams were
raging (not flooding), but lots of waterfalls and white water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The creeks are mostly rocky and shallow – the
fun kind to play in if the weather was hot and water not so fast. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There had been wildfires a few years ago and
we could see areas of burnt trees and downed timber.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even so, still very beautiful in those mountains.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YYYiy8JaA3c/XpOqs_xYGsI/AAAAAAAAEAc/-znAMKCA0DUVOM710V8V81DVKTAYnJwsACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YYYiy8JaA3c/XpOqs_xYGsI/AAAAAAAAEAc/-znAMKCA0DUVOM710V8V81DVKTAYnJwsACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1152.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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On one of the trails, we came to a creek where there was a single
railroad tie-sized timber across the creek with a crude, rickety board handrail
to help you balance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bridge was about
6 feet above the rocky creek rushing with about three or four feet of water
below, and about 15 feet long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It looked
scary; Someone doesn’t like heights, and I was a bit worried about him or me
falling off the narrow bridge and how we might climb out of the creek if we did
fall in, or even if the water might carry us on downstream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After about a minute of assessing
possibilities, I said, “Let’s do it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Someone went first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stood on my side and declared, “I’ve
changed my mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s go somewhere
else.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone gave me a look...you can
imagine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He crossed back over and no
more than stepped onto the bank on my side when courage and determination took
over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stepped up onto the timber and crossed
the bridge – defeat was not an option...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Once safe on the other side, I raised my fists in triumph and looked
back at Someone, who gave me a look (you can imagine), shrugged, and crossed back
over again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the early evening,
heading back toward the car, we had the same concerns (though unspoken at this
point) about the bridge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But there was
no choice, and we were both tired and hungry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We crossed uneventfully. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In our evenings on vacation, we walked around Gatlinburg
which is purely a tourist mecca - not my favorite kind of place, but plenty to
see and do there if you like shopping, restaurants, and tourist stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our room was great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a giant jacuzzi bathtub which I enjoyed
the hell out of after those long hikes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We also had a fireplace with gas logs which was marvelous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instant ambience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d love to have gas logs in our fireplace at
home (no work of cutting wood and carrying it into the house, and no messy
ashes), but the cost of running a gas line to our house makes having one
impractical.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Now, about COVID-19...all the classes for University #1 were
moved to online format by mid-March and all faculty and staff are working from
home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gracie and Molly love it because they are not
home alone all day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone is going into work two mornings a week
(in essence, his work-week cut from 25-30 hours to 7 hours).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is
driving me crazy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He tends to talk
incessantly while I’m trying to work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
finds a reason to go shopping every day – not only for us, but for his mother,
sister, and mother’s friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my
opinion, he’s doing his very best to catch the virus and bring it home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SXHHKd-tvk8/XpOq9JsvviI/AAAAAAAAEAw/eXJ7bmwDQNYoXQadxhQisicmpOzpsTAMwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SXHHKd-tvk8/XpOq9JsvviI/AAAAAAAAEAw/eXJ7bmwDQNYoXQadxhQisicmpOzpsTAMwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1159.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gracie and I have quality time every day now</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As far as I know, we don’t have many people infected around
here, less than 30 at any time – thank the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is not much where Sarah lives
either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where Erin and Emily and Katie
are living, there is plenty of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
thing is, how would we know how much of it is really around?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People aren’t being tested.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They go to the doctor with symptoms, they’re
tested for flu and then sent home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
they don’t get better, they return another time or two before they are finally tested
for COVID.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you get better, you’re
never tested. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Who knows when things will get back to normal – maybe they
will never be the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe we will
have a new normal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems that we will
always have worry until there is a vaccine for COVID-19.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are learning a lot from this pandemic, or
at least, we should be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There will be
more pandemics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We definitely need to be
moving the manufacturing of our drugs and critical supplies back into the U.S.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These things will cost more as a result, but
perhaps things cost more to make in the U.S. because of tax laws and regulations
that we comply with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not saying that
we need fewer regulations or lower taxes, but perhaps if we can eliminate duplication
of local, state, and federal regulations, the cost of compliance can be reduced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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I’ll put the soapbox away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m not one to discuss politics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
HATE POLITICS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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KYLadyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386201292445132711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-278845464908391168.post-61471173622797640092020-02-23T17:18:00.002-05:002020-02-23T17:20:15.229-05:00Do as I say!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
Where to begin? I am
teaching a new course this semester in business communication
technology. It’s going OK. This past week, as I was preparing for next
week (because I’m struggling to stay even a week ahead, unfortunately), I read a lot about
best practices for blogging (for business purposes). Clearly, KYLady has violated all the best
practices with her own personal blog. I
ramble. I have no central theme to the
blog (this, that, and the other about life and the world is a very broad
scope). Posts are not submitted at predictable
time intervals. My post headlines are a
complete mystery at times. Proofreading
happens sometimes. Tagging happens
sometimes. This will be a <i>Do as I say,
not as I do</i> lesson, for sure. Of course, not too many people on this planet
even know my blog exists, and certainly it would not be something I tell my students
(or anyone else) to go take a look at.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week, I embarked on a great adventure with my
class. Honestly, once I made plans to go
there, I thought it was not uncharted territory for
the University #1 system. We began playing
with Microsoft Teams. As I was configuring the Team, every question I posed to
our on-site “expert”, she forwarded to the system “expert”, resulting with an
answer like <i>in theory</i>,<i> it should work like this</i>.. Clearly,
this technology was bastardized for our use case, implemented, and released into the
wild with not enough vetting. Oh well,
so far, about 50% of my students have tested the water and it’s going OK. I am encouraged that there will be some value in what we are trying to do.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
I promised a photo of my mini-succulent garden in the skull
planter. As it turned out, the skull was
smaller than I planned for, so I stuck one succie in its own little teacup
planter. The results are OK. Having plants in my office makes it so much
more pleasant to sit in. They make the
place feel a little less cold and stark. There are 7 potted plants in my office right now. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Un4p2sqsqVA/XlL3oP1mPaI/AAAAAAAAD_M/2fFWMCK0okEKkDiOji15MzvHT0cbBgqdACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Blog_Office_Plants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="395" data-original-width="579" height="272" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Un4p2sqsqVA/XlL3oP1mPaI/AAAAAAAAD_M/2fFWMCK0okEKkDiOji15MzvHT0cbBgqdACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Blog_Office_Plants.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My succulents</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My new hip is doing great so far. I’m still doing physical therapy twice a
week, for how much longer, I don’t know.
There will be reassessment this week to see if there’s anything else
that can be accomplished.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last night, Someone and I went to Lexington to watch UK Cats
play the Florida Gators (it’s college basketball, in case you’re not a fan). It was a great game, especially because we
won. Our seats were near the roof of the
arena. The stairs inside the arena are
very steep. I was grateful for the stair
railings. Whereas normal stairs are easy for me to use like a normal human, these
steep stairs caused be to go back to the way I did stairs right after surgery –
one at a time, good leg up\good leg up and back leg down\bad leg down. No doubt people behind me loved that, but too
bad. I noticed that heavy people and many
of the “older” people had as much or more trouble than I did. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W7wbRf8DGsA/XlL36hhCs-I/AAAAAAAAD_U/GDxxZUdIx9Ax4JdsDq1F8RL_-NTAlxs_gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W7wbRf8DGsA/XlL36hhCs-I/AAAAAAAAD_U/GDxxZUdIx9Ax4JdsDq1F8RL_-NTAlxs_gCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1055.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In a TV time-out, a banner unfurls over the little student section. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Other than the stairs, we had one little incident to remind
me that I’m not as good as I used to be.
Someone was so eager to get to the arena (we had to park about five blocks
away), that he kept walking way faster than I could keep up with him. It’s not like we were pressed for time – we had
two hours until the tip-off. I offered
to send the tickets to his phone so that he could run ahead and enjoy those
extra minutes of noisy ambience, but no, he just kept stopping and waiting for
me to catch up (with that sulky, impatient look on his face). Anyway, we were waiting to cross a busy street
and there was a break in the traffic.
Someone grabbed my hand and said “Come on” as if we were both going to
dash across the street in this short window of opportunity. He pulled me off the curb – fortunately I hit
the ground with my good leg and then broke free from him as he ran across
barely beating the oncoming cars.
Idiot. I could have never made
that! A few moments later, the light
changed and everyone who waited crossed safely.
Someone is like toddler sometimes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today, we took Gracie for a hike. It was great to get out into the woods again. Our February has been wonderfully mild. We heard an owl in the woods...that was the highlight for me. Owls (all raptors, really) are marvelous birds. The trail we took today is hilly with lots of rocks and tree roots to navigate. Part of it winds around the lake under pine trees – my favorite part (and that part is easy walking). I was able to go about a mile before turning around. Perhaps next time, we’ll try a little farther. Baby steps – I’m getting my life back. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nhdfnA_bJPk/XlL5PMgG3_I/AAAAAAAAD_o/uzEYp0_okSwWtbJZ2ynADfIimxX5coWaQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nhdfnA_bJPk/XlL5PMgG3_I/AAAAAAAAD_o/uzEYp0_okSwWtbJZ2ynADfIimxX5coWaQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1061.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the Michael Tygart Trail.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dcNZPWxfp9o/XlL5PFdpwzI/AAAAAAAAD_k/ZFGs0eK3rOQ9lav9zRw05p0e8f4XmxpNQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dcNZPWxfp9o/XlL5PFdpwzI/AAAAAAAAD_k/ZFGs0eK3rOQ9lav9zRw05p0e8f4XmxpNQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1059.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More trail (around Greenbo Lake) - Gracie always checks to see if I'm coming</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
KYLadyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386201292445132711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-278845464908391168.post-87962244964168521762020-01-19T04:04:00.000-05:002020-01-19T21:57:39.919-05:00overdone<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
My surgery was four weeks ago, yesterday. At two weeks, I
stopped using a walker, and about mid-week last week, I stopped using a cane.
No cane, but I’m still hobbling around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When will the limp go away – everyone is different, so says the physical
therapy folks. The longer you walk with a limp before the surgery, the harder
it will be to stop limping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well
great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People have been telling me I
walk with a limp since about 2012; long before I ever believed them. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Things were going totally great with recovery until today. I
wanted to go to Walmart and get some “stuff”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I hate Walmart but there are just some things our Kroger doesn’t have,
like towels, which was the main thing on my list. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our towels are all old and really tired...or
maybe I’m just tired of using our old ratty towels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hindsight is 2020...I should have just
ordered off Amazon and let it be...but no, old KYLady decided to get out and see
towels in person so that she could pick the color accurately and feel the
weight of them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Someone LOVES Walmart (like you have no idea how much he
LOVES Walmart).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was delighted that I
wanted to go and said he’d come with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>OK...and he wanted to drive...OK.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We get down there and the place is a zoo, because it’s Saturday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without considering my condition, he parked
where he always parks, at the very end of the parking lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I should have objected, but I thought the
walk would be good for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He even asked
if I wanted him to move the car closer to the building, but no...I wanted to
walk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the time we got to the doors, I
told him he could pick me up at the door when we left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then into the madhouse we went.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The store was re-arranged from the last time
I’d been in there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had to wander a bit
to find towels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I selected some nice ones
– soft and thick, sort of a ashy aqua color. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We made a pass through the soap and shampoo
aisle, and then to check out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did not
have to wait too long... thank the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My hip was getting pretty achy by that point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We walked out and Someone said he’d bring the
car up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well he did...about 20 minutes
later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was raining and cars were
waiting on parking places...it took Someone forever to get up to the front of
the building...while I was standing there all that time because there was no
place to sit out of the rain.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zR_wPH4WVXM/XiQbQlwENRI/AAAAAAAAD_A/wbtTOioJPk8BNZ-FnRKUJ_vqheSHkaB2wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zR_wPH4WVXM/XiQbQlwENRI/AAAAAAAAD_A/wbtTOioJPk8BNZ-FnRKUJ_vqheSHkaB2wCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/DSC00378.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, ever so slowly, we made our way back out of the parking
lot and finally got near the road to turn out of the chaos, when a car zoomed up
beside us, honked, and motioned for us to roll down the window. The kind driver reported to us that there was
a huge bulge on our tire. Sure enough,
there it was, like the size of a softball.
Someone bought his tires at Walmart, so we just drove around to the car
maintenance area. Someone ran in and
they told him it would be about a 30-minute wait. Long story short, we parked in the line and
went inside to wait in the customer service area...lovely, hard metal benches
were all they had. About 15 minutes of
that and I was wishing I’d thought to bring some pain pills with me (I’ve not
taken anything stronger than Tylenol since the first week). An hour went by and there were still several
people in front of us. I was beyond done at that point.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We don’t have Uber or Lyft in our area (and only minimal public transportation services).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I called for a cab and that was going to be a
40-minute wait. In the meantime, Someone called Emily who was on her way to
work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She called her boss and detoured
to come and get me (I cancelled my cab).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My angel of mercy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was nearly
in tears by the time I got into her car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Home, a pain pill, a cup of hot tea, and now I’m back to normal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lesson learned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As it turned out, Walmart’s 30-minute wait was
more like a 150-minute wait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone’s
tire was under warranty, so no charge, at least.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> He got to "enjoy" Walmart for a very long time. </span>I’m grateful that the man in the parking lot was kind enough to
chase us down and warn us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hw59PvL7R2s/XiQaz7b49aI/AAAAAAAAD-4/SedRyIa61OsC3gZg073xx3kRyjOVr2ZbwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/emily_icepop.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="435" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hw59PvL7R2s/XiQaz7b49aI/AAAAAAAAD-4/SedRyIa61OsC3gZg073xx3kRyjOVr2ZbwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/emily_icepop.png" width="330" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emily saved the day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This past week, because I’m getting around better, I’ve been taking
a plant into my office every morning. I won’t be taking anything giant,
although there is plenty of room for giant plants. It’s just too much trouble and stress on the
big plants to transport them, and then I’d have to bring them home by mid-May. I bought a fun pot that looks like a skull
over Christmas. Initially, my plans were
to put ivy in it, but my mind changed today.
It needs to be a small succulent garden.
Coming soon...I will share photos when it’s finished.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br /></div>
KYLadyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386201292445132711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-278845464908391168.post-22306145748848144762020-01-04T19:07:00.000-05:002020-01-05T18:42:09.521-05:00gratitude<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thank God that I’m a healthy person. It’s very easy for a
healthy person to take their good health for granted, but having survived this
recent surgery (total hip replacement on December 20), I now have much greater
awareness of what good health means when something big comes along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To be completely honest, I had more tests and
more “health care” in the month before surgery than I’d had cumulatively over
my entire lifespan...including birth of a single baby and birth of twins. Truly,
I am blessed, and I intend to make more effort to remain as healthy as I am. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This was my first-ever surgery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To say I was a scared wreck that day (and the
few days leading up) is an understatement, but I did my best to be brave and remain
chill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone was stressed out enough
as it was, and it was certainly not in my best interests to add to his stress
level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything I knew about surgery
was direct from friends’ stories and what I’d seen on TV shows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a pleasant surprise it was (or maybe my positive
impression is because of the good outcome).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was wheeled into the operating room which was much like a
freezer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lady pushing my gurney apologized
for the extreme cold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had no vision
correction at the time, sadly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
remarked that I wished I could get a clear look at the equipment and tools.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said I was better off not seeing it because
it scares most people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A team of people
met me in the operating room and they rolled me up beside what looked like a
tilt table of some kind, with breaks in the table so that knees could be bent
or the person could be placed in a sitting position. Behind me, somebody was
moving heavy metal objects that clanged together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked if they wanted me to slide over onto
the table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The anesthetist said no, that
people would move me onto it after I was asleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I lamented that I would have tried harder to
lose weight if I’d known people were going to have to lift me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One lady told me not to give it another thought
– they oftentimes move people who are 300 to 400 pounds onto the table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They put a mask over my face and told me to breathe deep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The last thing I heard was the anesthetist say
my oxygen level was at 100%, and now she was going to put something in my IV to
make me go to sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I wake up, it
will all be over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sweet dreams...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember nothing of the recovery room, but a
nurse woke me up in my room and it was all over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Easy peasy (for me, anyway). Nothing hurt, I
was alive and well, and Jerry was standing close by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fast forward, 15 days later (today), and I’m well on the
road to recovery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yesterday, I graduated
from walker to cane, and I was able to put my own socks on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today, I was able to tie my shoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Woo-hoo!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Tonight, I’m climbing the stairs so that I can sleep in a bed rather
than on the couch, and tomorrow night, I’m taking a real shower (instead of
washing up in the sink).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only thing
I still need help with is putting on and taking off those F’ing TED hose off my
operated leg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good leg, no problem; bad
leg, no way. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Erin has been home since I
got out of the hospital and has become expert in helping me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She went back to school this evening, so now,
Someone will have to step up to the plate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God help us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I start back to work Monday morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tomorrow, I’ll take a short drive over to the
bank to make sure there are no issues with getting in and out of the driver side,
and to put some gas in my car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have
one week to get ready before the semester starts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though I got a lot done before leaving
for Winter Break, there is still much to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have one brand new class, one class with new course materials, and
then the other four classes will be just as I taught them last semester.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>University #2 has no winter break so my online
classes there have been going on throughout my recovery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Work is good...I like it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Erin took down all the Christmas decorations yesterday,
boxed them up, and carried them to the basement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only thing left to take down and put away
are the outdoor garland and lights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
has been pouring rain the past few days, and our porch is slippery when
wet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked Erin not to bother and we’ll
just leave it for a few months down the road when I am able to climb a ladder
again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will not be turning the
Christmas lights on, and the garland is more winter-seasonal than Christmasy. It
will be fine to leave up until spring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Erin has been such a blessing to have at home these few weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has helped me (and Someone) with everything.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bc2rBnoReaM/XhEoiHOBfdI/AAAAAAAAD-s/O9mvqBogJAAUnw9Fc9zeQwSxq30PFYvegCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/girls_with_kitties.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="522" data-original-width="462" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bc2rBnoReaM/XhEoiHOBfdI/AAAAAAAAD-s/O9mvqBogJAAUnw9Fc9zeQwSxq30PFYvegCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/girls_with_kitties.png" width="353" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My blessings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<br /></div>
KYLadyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386201292445132711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-278845464908391168.post-19418799219103587662019-12-01T16:19:00.001-05:002019-12-01T16:19:59.042-05:00It's happening<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Welcome, December. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
excited for Christmas and the semester to be ending, and to be getting classes
set up for next semester which is something that must be started soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m having my hip replaced this month...less than
a week before Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m trying to
remain positive and brave, but it’s really hard with so many people sharing their
horror stories with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No more looking
at YouTube...no need to get any more visualizations of what will be done to my
hip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the date is fast approaching, I
fully realize it’s the right thing to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After a 15-minute walk with Gracie, it’s all I can do to limp back to
the car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-maFlrtK5PPw/XeQtn3nWgnI/AAAAAAAAD-Q/xiYRR7w-m8UBMqkJYrAoza21XwK4pfsLQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-maFlrtK5PPw/XeQtn3nWgnI/AAAAAAAAD-Q/xiYRR7w-m8UBMqkJYrAoza21XwK4pfsLQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_0904.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy creek after the rain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
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This afternoon, I got on Amazon and bought STUFF – lots of
stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stuff for gifts, stuff for me,
and an air fryer – stuff for the house!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All
the girls have asked for starts off my snake plant (aka mother-in-law tongue, aka
sansevieria).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mine is large and
pot-bound...intentionally pot bound because my hope is that it will bloom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, I bought pots and will make three
starts, one for each girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also needed
a pot for a start off my monstera for Emily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tj7M5mPKfAo/XeQt19ZsvKI/AAAAAAAAD-U/pJ5B4sCppzcdTuvostEcajkO48RkCKqPgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tj7M5mPKfAo/XeQt19ZsvKI/AAAAAAAAD-U/pJ5B4sCppzcdTuvostEcajkO48RkCKqPgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_0902.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My beautiful Christmas cacti</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
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The outside Christmas lights are up. I’ve carried our larger Christmas tree
upstairs, but alas, I’ve not moved ahead with assembly or decorating it. No doubt I will need to buy more lights. We’ve used a smaller tree the past few years,
but this year, I wanted something more cheerful. It’s likely that I could use some cheer by
the time Christmas gets here. I can only
imagine. What was it that lady told me
at the grocery store – “Oh honey, I was in agony for the first three weeks.” Agony?
Like, I’m thinking natural childbirth (with Sarah) was something like
agony for a few hours. She was worth
it. Anyway, I’d better make the tree
look great because most likely it will be up until I take it down and put it away...like
perhaps February is when that will be possible?? </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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So, my calendar is really busy for December.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a doctor appointment for a pre-surgery
physical, a dentist appointment, a patient-education class for pre-surgery hip
patients, a pre-surgery registration appointment, a Christmas party at work, a
Christmas lunch with retirees and employees of my former work family (after 33
years, we are like family), a meeting with my attorney to get some things
finalized...and a haircut.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also have to
get in six hours of training before December 15 for a recertification that is
needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s going to be a busy
month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I hate busy. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
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KYLadyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386201292445132711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-278845464908391168.post-16270457652394257612019-10-27T20:19:00.002-04:002019-10-27T20:19:41.372-04:00Vita Mutatur<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
For me, the world and all my plans have come to a screeching
halt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a very long story, but in a
nutshell, I learned a few weeks ago that my hip joint is shot to hell (bone on
bone, they said) and there’s nothing to do but replace it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was quite an unexpected shock to get the
news.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went to the doctor knowing they
would take an x-ray of my knee and possibly my hip, wanting to get the go-ahead
for physical therapy to fix me (I’ve been limping around a bit, and my knee
hurts if I walk a lot or stand for a long time), and thinking worst-case
scenario would be a cortisone shot in the knee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Well, oh hell no.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
doctor put a cortisone shot in my hip and told me it’s not an emergency
situation, but not to put it off for long - schedule the surgery because shots
are going to be my life until the surgery is done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately, he saw nothing wrong with the
other hip or either of my knees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
researched the doctor and the hospital where he works, after deliberating for
two days, I called back to schedule surgery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They connected me with the nurse who does the scheduling, she pulled my
chart, and said “Oh honey, you were just here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You have to have at least two more cortisone shots (3 months a part) and
then at least three gel shots (3 months a part) before we can put you on the
schedule.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right now, we’re scheduling
surgeries for eight months out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
won’t be having surgery until the end of 2022 at best”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told her the doctor told me not to delay
long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said my insurance wouldn’t pay
until there is proof that the shots aren’t helping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I scheduled the next shot appointment for
January.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Next, I called my insurance company.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They said, “bullshit!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it’s bone on bone and doctor says surgery
is the fix, why waste time and money on shots?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Get it done before my knee or back get damaged from limping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They recommended I get another opinion and
find somebody who can do it sooner than eight months.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Now I have an appointment in Lexington in a few weeks with
somebody who has a great reputation (based on Internet reviews and my
sister-in-law who lives in Lexington.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m hoping to get surgery sooner rather than later...perhaps over
Christmas or my spring break in March.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We will see what they say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Meanwhile, the cortisone shot didn’t hurt as much as people tell me they
hurt...the doctor put it in after rubbing something really cold on my hip
first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Moments after, I moved my leg
around a bit and the doctor remarked it greatly improved my mobility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, maybe so, for a few days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But now, my limp is worse and it hurts sooner
when I walk very far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m blaming the
shot, but maybe it’s just that now I’m paying more attention to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone and I played golf yesterday and I
took Tylenol after because everything was aching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being crippled is not for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps the real point of the shots is to
make you grateful for surgery.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
To change the subject (PLEASE), Gracie traumatized me one
morning last week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was still very
dark and I was making my lunch to take to work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gracie goes out in the mornings and spends the days inside until Someone
or I get home from work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, she was
outside and I heard her barking, and then something that sounded like a cat
started howling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My thoughts were that
Gracie was terrorizing a cat, perhaps a feral (several live behind out house in
the woods), or worse, one of the neighbor’s cats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ran outside just in time to see Gracie with
something larger than a squirrel or rabbit in and gray in her teeth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was shaking it violently and it was
screaming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I shouted “NO!” which is one
of only a few words that Gracie understands, grabbed a broom and smacked her
with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I heard the poor animal’s last unearthly
squeak, Gracie dropped it and stood over it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I grabbed her collar, and pulled her back into the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was dark, but from the garage light and a
quick glance, it looked like a gray striped cat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I grabbed a box and flashlight, and went back outside (leaving
Gracie in).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was hoping the cat was
dead so that I wouldn’t feel compelled to take it the vet for euthanasia or
whatever was needed...it’s not right to let an animal suffer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was relieved to see it was a raccoon and
already very dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It looked like Gracie
broke its neck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Poor thing...it makes me
sad to think about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s likely that
Gracie cornered it in our garage. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9uwAc03z_Io/XbYzi8JN0-I/AAAAAAAAD9s/MG5_FMhJ8ascqLOK4hGTgRthqw_6SWAigCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_E0655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9uwAc03z_Io/XbYzi8JN0-I/AAAAAAAAD9s/MG5_FMhJ8ascqLOK4hGTgRthqw_6SWAigCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_E0655.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gracie smiling</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
A few days later, I was sweeping the kitchen and saw both
Molly and Gracie in the family room acting strange.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Molly ran behind the couch and out from under
the couch ran a little ground squirrel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gracie lunged at it but it darted to safety under the love seat before
she could catch it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Molly ran to the
love seat and tried to squeeze herself under it, but it ran back across and got
under the couch again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I opened up the
back door to the deck so that perhaps they could chase the creature to the
outside and it would have a chance to escape them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, I stopped watching and within 10
minutes, the cat, dog, and hopefully the rodent were all outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On one hand, I wanted our pets to take care
of the pest, but on the other, I hate for anything to die needlessly (plus, I
didn’t want bloodshed in the house).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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Our fall weather has been mostly hot and dry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Leaves were later than usual to begin changing
color, but just in the last few days, the color is stunning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a hard rain last night and many of the
red and orange leaves dropped off the maples.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Today the sun is shining and it’s breezy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every little gust brings down more
leaves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Within a few more weeks, the
hills will be bare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ugh...winter is a dreary
time of year, but at least we have holidays to occupy our minds and time with
until January.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh yeah, and surgery, buying
a car, buying appliances, getting new floors, painting walls, ...and whatever else
comes along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GXXNJnecEyc/XbYz2RjTzoI/AAAAAAAAD90/WuCZ68A3EE8J1U2QMLQhEHmheDYq2D5pwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GXXNJnecEyc/XbYz2RjTzoI/AAAAAAAAD90/WuCZ68A3EE8J1U2QMLQhEHmheDYq2D5pwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_0855.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Late October leaves</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0S3oYLnjtUA/XbYz-izg0-I/AAAAAAAAD94/fkBqSeWwuQsJ7IBJUoFinyTM45cdcr60wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0S3oYLnjtUA/XbYz-izg0-I/AAAAAAAAD94/fkBqSeWwuQsJ7IBJUoFinyTM45cdcr60wCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_0850.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fall leaves smell wonderful</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br /></div>
KYLadyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386201292445132711noreply@blogger.com0