Catching up on Memorial Day

 My big revelation for Friday, May 26, 2023 is that barbed wire was invented the same year Nebraska became a state!  Learned from Chrono.  

I find this game amusing and play it once a day.  Then I take a medium term memory test and play the same game on a different device, and if I learned from earlier play, I should be able to beat it again, quicker!  But, of course, I don't always remember everything.

On Thursday afternoon I went to visit my sister, the one with whom I swap kitty care.  She is also the sister who has adopted the family iris raising hobby.  She has taken pains to try to re-create a garden with the hybrids that our paternal grandparents created and nurtured.

She has added a few varieties over the years, and some of them have become favorites of mine, so going over to see them is a treat.

We took a "proof we were together" selfie, as the two of us only do this a couple of times a year!

Suddenly, I found myself at Sunday... whatever happened to Saturday?  To be honest, it got consumed by a trip to the grocery store and a binge-streaming of Yellowstone season 5 (I'm guessing this is the first half) that showed up on Peacock this week.

I made my classic Greek salad for Sunday afternoon's cookout over at my son's place.  

Meanwhile, I put the leadup to the Indianapolis 500 on in the background.  This was my dad's thing, and it was generally listened to on the radio at the end of the church picnic, car radios.  My dad was a fan of automotive sports.  His dream was that cars would be speeding by outside his grade school window at 100 miles an hour.  He told his teacher so, and this is one of the family stories that has been repeated long enough for it to be "settled fact" in the minds of at least his older children.

What?  Did it happen?  Well, not entirely.  The school building is gone, and an interstate highway runs by where it used to stand.  The speed limit in that section is 65 mph, as it's within the city limits of Omaha, Nebraska.

My contribution, ready for the feast. I left for my drive across town before the race concluded.  I lazily looked up the results on Monday, Memorial Day.  Most of the names were "new to me", although they must be good drivers to even be in that race.

It was a lovely cookout on Sunday.  Carl had been taken to a beginning agility class in the morning, and they are thinking about whether to sign him up for more.  It's expensive, like hiring a personal trainer for a dog!  Or preschool for kids.

Carl's snout is all healed up and we're waiting for the fur to regrow over the spot where the stitches were.  We'll see if the fur grows back in black or white.  We could have a "Harry Potter" look if it comes in white.

The birds all came outside in their cages.  Even Ollie, who lives with Lacey's parents came along in a travel cage.  It was my first time meeting Ollie.  Ollie likes to watch videos, but he was not into showing off his vocal skills on Sunday.

Ollie is a lineated parakeet, for those who hadn't read the long-ago blog and don't care to dig for it.  He chirped to me when we first greeted one another.

Scout and Kiwi, the cockatiels, also came out on the deck in their cage.  They were very vocal.

These two live with my son and DIL, and Carl, but they live in a room where Carl is not allowed, unless they are in a cage, of course.  I get treated to videos of them perching on the ceiling fans, or hopping about while the crack between the fridge and counter is "baffled" by a plastic glass.  I've learned a bit about birds since my son's association with his wife and her folks.

Speaking of birds... my niece in Utah is raising orphan mallards this year:  a clutch of seven!  Their mother was killed while they were quite tiny, and the ducklings were handed over to my niece and her family to raise.  They have experience with poultry, and a few years ago raised a mallard for release.  That mama mallard came back to hatch her broods on their land, including 13 ducklings last Summer.

The videos of the new babies having their first swim outdoors a week ago were precious!  I'm amazed at how fast they have grown.

The drive home from the cookout was accompanied by some welcome mist and sprinkles.  Unfortunately, on my end of town, it was evaporated almost immediately!

Monday morning I had set my alarm for 5:30 because of the cat medication schedule at my sister's house.  They expect their medication and breakfast around 6:30 a.m.

As I started my drive, I was thinking how much I love summer mornings, when it's light and the roads are not yet busy.

The kitties were happy to see me, and the one who needs the meds ate hers, obediently while the other one got plain treats.  Meds, and no food for either until the one eats her meds.  Clean out the litter box.  

Then breakfast.  Proof of life, Memorial Day.  Their mom and her friend made it 370 miles down the road, taking the scenic route through Western Nebraska.

That brings you up to date with my life.  Here's hoping all of you have been enjoying the holiday weekend (if you're in the US) and reserving a part of your consciousness to remember that this is the day we honor those who paid the ultimate price for our freedoms.

Life is good.  Keep Sparking!

A peaceful morning paddle

 For whatever reason, I was just exhausted on Wednesday.  Managed a couple of loads of laundry, and that's it.  Wednesday afternoon, kid sis waved off the weekly walk, needing some decompression time herself.  I was just as glad, as I had worked out the differences with the kayak rental place, and had a boat reserved for Thursday morning at 9.

Thursday morning, the forecast was saying the 9 a.m. hour had a 30% chance of rain, but the sun was out and bright with just a hint of clouds in the West.  So I went down to the glossy, calm lake and had a lovely solo paddle.

As usual, I parked on the other side of the lake, and walked over to the launch point, then paddled around the corner to see what I could see.  This early in the season, the algae hasn't taken over our little lake yet, but with the drought conditions the water level is low.  And at 9 a.m. and about 70℉ with just enough breeze to feel cool on the water, it was very pleasant.

I set the RunKeeper to "other" and mapped the whole activity as one, rather than trying to break it up into walk and "row".  I actually got a decent map out of it by doing so.

I tried taking a few photos, but was having "technical difficulties" with the waterproof case on the phone, so they are fuzzy.  Several folks were fishing from the shore so I was being careful to avoid tangling their lines.  One pair of kayakers were fishing from their craft.  In the end, I was generally just enjoying the paddle.

The best photo, in terms of clarity, was the lake from my parking spot, framed by the spring foliage.

Geese and ducks were bobbing about.

Gal and her canine companion.  They could have taught Carl a thing or two about riding on a kayak!

This one of the pedestrian bridge I walk over between the parking lot and the launch point was taken from a distance out on the lake.  It was about my turn around point, as I was starting to notice the precursors to blisters on my right thumb.  Early paddles in the season lead to this if I'm not careful, so I came in at about 45 minutes.  

What a peaceful start to my day!  I'll have some luncheon, and this afternoon head over for "kitty medication routine training" as starting Monday I'll be in charge of the morning shift at my sister's place.  

Life is indeed good.  Spark on!

Uneven joggers

 

Saturday afternoon I woke from my nap to a message from my nephew-in-law.  He wanted to try a first attempt at a training run.  I warned him I have not even walked over two miles in a while.  He warned me that his "best" mile used to be five minutes.  OK, so 23-year-old speed demon, out of training, meets 70-year-old overweight out of shape former triathlete.

We made it work, with intervals around the lake.  Very easy intervals.  Based on traffic and available landmarks, I'd point out something 25 yards ahead or so, and send him running on ahead to wait for me to catch up.  Must have looked a little strange to the folks we passed, one by one, but we made it work.  Walk for four minutes or more in between the jogs.

In the end, we averaged a bit under 18-minute miles.  I told him to let me know when he wants to do it again.  He messaged me to remember to stretch and hydrate.  And I feel pretty OK today (other than the air quality and allergies).

I took another nap Sunday afternoon and was feeling motivated to eat better Monday.  If I'm going to support this kid in his triathlon dreams, I'd better make sure I'm in at least enough shape to be a cheerleader!

Memorial Day cookout at son & DIL's place is set for 2 p.m. next Sunday.  

Monday I finished devouring a book:  The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, by Taylor Jenkins Reid.  Just what I needed to rekindle my reading goals of 2023.  A "can't put it down" kind of a read, where you know there are twists, but you have no idea what kind.  If you are a Desantis fan of "don't say gay", this book is probably on your banned list.  

Tuesday was the usual workout with the trainer.  As I was getting in the car after my workout, to drive home, the phone rang.  Welcome to the modern age, eh?  I saw it was my elder sister, and since I've been expecting her to check in about kitty care (she and a teacher friend are heading out on a decompression trip soon), I picked it up.

The trainer is headed to visit his son, daughter in law, and grandchildren over Memorial weekend, so I'll have a couple of days to fill in with other activities.  Working on getting a kayak rental for Thursday morning but having some technical difficulties.  I e-mailed the owner, and we'll get it worked out, I'm sure.

That's about it... making things work, a little more active, a little different sleep patterns... Summertime is almost here!

Life is good.  Spark on!

Sneezin' Season

 

May 5th.

May 13th

May 15th

May 17th.

Ah-choo!  'Nuff said.

May 19th:

Monday evening I booked my first kayak session, for Friday (opening day for my regular rental place).  I got on the phone with my kayaking partner, Gerri, and we found a time we could both go.  I'm hoping my old joints with fold and unfold appropriately for a good time on the water.  Gerri was walking around the lake while we talked, and she says the water level is low.  Hoping some rain comes along to help with that.

Tuesday was the usual trainer appointment, after which I was just wiped out and nodded off in front of the TV.  The afternoon nap is fast becoming a "thing" around here.  Tuesday the mowers came, too.

Wednesday was laundry day and sister walk.  

Thursday was another trainer day, and the bug guys came in the afternoon to treat the outside of the house/yard.  I took my allergy meds, then a nap in the afternoon, and still woke up swollen.  Air quality is not great, dues to smoke drifting down from wildfires in Canada, which is the opposite direction from where we usually get our drifting smoke!

I had a home Covid test that was going to expire this month, so even though I strongly suspected "just knew" this was allergies, I used the test.  Negative.  Have two more that are good through August, so I should be OK for the Summer, and I didn't toss that one without using it (funny how we have habits out parents learned in the Great Depression).

Kid sis signed up for an "organize your home" class at the community college in July, and I bit and signed up for it, too.  We shall see if it's meant for seniors or youngers.

Smoky air was still "hanging about" on Friday, so I was back on the allergy meds and hoping for the winds to change.  They kinda sorta did, and I made it out to paddle at 6 p.m. with my friend.  Sunlight on the water, windy at times, and very enjoyable.

Saturday morning I'm moving slow, but moving.  The arms are testifying to the different motion of paddling.  Looking forward to the next outing.

Life is good.  Spark on!

Mother's Day

 Happy Mother's Day, all!

As with most holidays since the son moved out, this one started mid-afternoon.  Son is a night owl.  DIL is an early bird, but her grandma gets the early part of her day today... her mom and I will get the time of day when my son is also "alive".

The plan was to meet at a stationery shop in a nearby small town, then repair across the street to the Glacial Till Cider / Winery place.  I've never been to either, but they are favorites with DIL's family.

We got there, only to discover that the stationery shop was locked up, although the sign on the door showed its hours as open for another hour and a half!

Threw in the towel and crossed the road to the Glacial Till, where we 1) stood in line (Mother's Day and wine, anyone?), 2) son found us a table despite this, 3) ordered various treats, 4) noshed, and 5) conversed a lot.  The kids gave the two mothers their individual gifts.

Donna got an invite to a pottery class with her daughter.

I was gifted with a punch pass for kayak rentals.

We both got collections of prints of the wedding photos (some of which you've already seen).  It was a very pleasant and relaxing event, made us forget there'd ever been a pandemic, if you know what I mean.  Just felt normal!

Safely home again now.  

Life is good.  Spark on!

The Bride picked this photo as a favorite

 

The bride posted some of her favorite photos from the wedding, and this was one that "pricked up my ears" because the wind pricked up Carl's.  You can see his collar holding the rings, and his humans look amazingly happy.  The longer it's been since that wedding (three weeks already!) the less that wind chill impacts the memories.  If Carl's ears had been cropped like his mama dog's, he would look very Doberman in this photo!  You can see what the ears might have done.

Friday was Carl's day to have the stitches removed.  He looks very happy in most recently shared video.

My son and I still share the same relationship we have his whole life.  I asked if he would be OK being executor and Health care power of attorney for me.  His response was essentially "OK. But put it all in writing, and be specific.  I don't trust myself to make the right decisions for you under duress."  When I assured him it was all in black and white and specific, he closed out with, "Now just don't ever need it, and don't ever die, and we'll be fine."

I assured him that I can't die for a while.  I have to at the very least outlive my cats, since his wife is allergic to them!  Having a purpose such as taking care of animals I think does keep us taking better care of ourselves.  

Friday's moment of personal pride:  overcoming my reluctance to pick up the phone and make appointments.  I made two; one to get my blood work checked again, next month, the other to have the brick mason look at the facing on my house and see if it's something that his firm can handle (and of course what it will set me back if I hire them).

Saturday morning two things happened.  The brick mason came and looked over the potential work which is mostly on the West side of my house.  He examined, explained the damage, what he would plan to do to correct it, and estimated about how much it would cost.  Since he and his crew did such a fine job on the neighbor's house last year, I'm not even going to call anyone else.  I booked him for mid- to late-June to come out, try to match mortar and brick colors, and replace the two brick columns that hold my landing lights, as well as grinding out and refilling, replacing a few bricks, fixing cracks, etc.  I feel like one of those brick columns has been lifted from my shoulders as I for sure could not do this work myself!

The arch above the front porch, for example.  Skilled labor and forms required.

Pillar has come away from the skirt wall.  The brick mason says he'd simply remove and replace the two pillars at its corners.

The other pillar isn't quite as far separated, but probably replacing the pillar is the best solution for the long term.

The arches around the garage doors also need some work, which may or may not require replacing the bricks.

The second event was as the brick mason was getting ready to leave:  a coyote came trotting into the neighborhood, bold as can be!  I wasn't quick enough with the camera, so no photos.  He trotted through the front yards across the street, then ducked behind the houses, causing the fenced dog across the street to go nuts with his barking.  The coyote then darted into the park behind those houses.

I went to check on the cats.  Rubia was inside, but The Prisoner was out.  Prisoner stayed away until about 2 p.m.  Considering he hides from Carl whenever Carl comes to visit, and stays out for days and nights at a time, I trust that he's bright enough to climb a tree to keep away from the coyote.  However, I feel better when they are both inside for the night!

Life is good.  Keep on Sparkin'!

Indulging exhaustion

 

Sleep, wonderful sleep!  I've been indulging in "catching up" on the sleep I missed last week and the adrenaline I expended in dealing with Carl and his doggy-injuries.

It's been a week on Monday afternoon since Carl went home.  I have heard from the young couple that their vet has him scheduled to get the stitches out on Friday the 12th of May.  They figured out a better cone attachment method, looping the collar through the loops on the cone.  Makes it harder to take the cone off and on, but also stabilizes it, and he can sniff the ground better, so Carl is living his life.  He should be done with the meds by now.

The cats have resumed their normal control of the household.  

It is the year when we get new physical license plates for the cars at renewal.  You know they decide on how long to keep the plates?  Is it based on how long it takes to memorize the alphanumeric soup of the plate number?  Once you've finally memorized your plate number, they issue you a new one to learn all over again?

I was pleased with myself that on Sunday afternoon, I took out the Phillips head screwdriver and put the new plates on.

I had skipped going to the grocery store Sunday morning or afternoon, and only found out Monday morning that there was a bomb scare at my regular store on Sunday!  Turned out to be a hoax, you know the kind.  Anonymous call, cause a stir, but nothing found.

On Monday, I started on my "financial planner homework" and discovered a wealth of things I am going to have to make decisions over.  

The simplest should be the standard "Last Will and Testament".  Who should be the executor?  Do I really want to put that burden on him/her?  What about a backup if that person is unable or unwilling?  Is the default of a person's "share" going to their children even appropriate?  So I suspended it for a while, to contemplate and maybe ask a few questions of the people impacted.

I decided I'd had enough of my hair blowing about and getting in my eyes, and got it cut on Monday.  

Then I got groceries before coming home.  

Correction from prior blog:  I noticed on the news coverage that my impression of 8 pounds for the crown's weight was a bit "over".  They are reporting (CBS, which is reputable) that it's more like 5 pounds.  Either way, wearing a 5 pound weight on your head and having a 70 year old neck holding it up?  A feat of strength!

Tuesday morning it was back to the trainer.  Life goes on.

And life is good.  Spark on!

Cultural Heritage - my own

As I have many times since such things were available, I am up in the dark of the morning today, to immerse myself in my own cultural heritage.  My DNA matches more than half British, Scottish and Welsh (74%).  The church in which I grew up featured the King James version of the Bible, so the language of Shakespeare came naturally when I got to the level of school where that was studied.

When I was a newlywed in 1981, my husband and I got up at 4 a.m. to watch live coverage of the wedding of Charles and Diana.  I have since that time arisen early to listen on public broadcasting to the Queen address her people around the globe at Christmas, or during the pandemic.  I got up to view live coverage of more weddings as the generations of Windsors grew up and took spouses.  Funerals, too:  Diana, tragically out of life's natural order.  Phillip, Prince consort, after long years of service to his Queen.  Most recently that of Queen Elizabeth II, herself.

This morning, it is the coronation of Charles III.  I was an infant when his mother was crowned, and that was long before the instant communications were available.  So much ritual and symbolism and history.  Nobody does this sort of thing like the Brits... the ceremonial processions, timed to the minute, the blend of modern technology with ancient tradition.  

Back in Nebraska, Rubia joined me in watching the service.  "A cat may look at a king."

The Golden State Coach, with newly crowned king and queen ready to depart the Abbey.   

During the service, I was silently praying for this man, Charles, with that 8 pound crown on his head.  He's older than I am by a couple or three years, and I could think of all the ways things might go wrong if it were me trying to pull this off.  With a trip, or a body part buckling (knees, anybody) as all the wardrobe changes and up and down motions in the ceremony unfolded, the whole ceremony might be ruined!  Walking down that loooong aisle carrying orb and scepter?  Well done, Your Majesty!  

The touching moment of the Prince of Wales swearing fealty, the curtseys and bows... boy the aristocracy knows how that's done, and some of those not in the aristocracy, too.  Like I said, immersed in my own cultural heritage.  Not that anybody else's is less than, but when you grow up in a culture, it feels like home.

For my Canadian friends... representation in the procession.  The TV commentator said these horses the RCMP are riding were gifted (over time) to the Royal Family, and the corps was called upon to ride them today.

I have switched from the "no commentary" stream to let the media folks talk as the parade has concluded and we're waiting for the balcony visit.

Life is good.  Yawn.  I might take a nap today.

Spark on!

Normal, whatever that is.

Right before I took this photo, The Prisoner was in a crouch, nose pointed straight at the robin in the video!  It was such a cute set-up, but of course by the time I got the phone aimed, he ruined the shot by looking at me.

This morning I ordered groceries online, to be picked up this evening after the regular Wednesday "sister walk".

Carl is safely home with his mommy and daddy.  His stitches are due to come out a week from Friday, per his mommy.

The birds who live at his house are back home from the other grandparents, too.  Birds would not do well at my house, but Carl's other grandparents are truly bird people, and they take as much good care of those cockatiels as I do of Carl.  We all pitch in, as that's what family does.

The furniture covers have now been de-Carl-haired, and cat de-haired, too.  I started sweeping the tile floors.  Haven't got to the vacuum for the carpets just yet, but that's another part of the post-Carl cleanup.  He may be a short-haired breed, but those short hairs shed!

I have noted local people posting photos of their lilacs in bloom, so I know that my specific allergies will be in high form, so I'm on my meds the past couple of days.  

Life goes on, and life is good!  Spark on!

Revenge of the felines

Did I mention that Rubia practically goes feral when Carl visits?  Well, she decided to come back inside and take over her proper place in the house after he left.  But she has retained some of her feral habits.

Example:  I received my box of biocoffee in the mail yesterday.  As I was opening it this morning, Rubia wanted to "play" with the box, and was in the way (as she often is).  I went to pick her up and move her, and she bit me!

May we say "Really?  Did you have to be that cliché, Rubia?  Biting the hand that feeds you?

Anyway, I tossed her outside (she was not happy) and then washed and bandaged the hand.

I don't think she's sorry.  She was begging to come back in shortly after, and is back to her normal inside nuisance behavior, "helping" with everything.

Following my first workout back at the gym, and a soothing shower, I took a nice nap, before relaxing into a house full of purring kitties.  Who'd have thought two cats could take up a whole house?  But they do.

Carl, meanwhile, is soaking up the attention back at son & DIL's house.  Lacey is off work for a few more days, unpacking, doing laundry, and seeing that the invalid canine eats his meds.  She's using the peanut butter treat method, which was what I was going to try if I ran out of turkey!

I washed the bedding and the cat throws, and called it a day.  Tomorrow will be soon enough to tackle the furniture throws and the rest of the laundry.

Life returns to "normal", whatever that is...

but it is good.  Spark on!

Whew! Carl is back with his parents!

Over the years, I have come to know that I'm a bit of an anxious person.  Weather wimp is just the beginning.  Social anxiety, i.e. second guessing everything I've ever said to anybody, worrying about how it might have affected them... you bet!

Now apply that to the current situation, where your son's beloved canine has been injured on your watch.  Never mind that you weren't doing anything wrong... you didn't have the dog wrapped up in bubble wrap and protected from potential harm... you think:  I shouldn't have taken him to that particular dog park, I should have been more alert, etc.  Then it comes to caring for the wound, deciding when and with what information to notify the kids on their honeymoon...

Thankfully, I'm a believer in getting professional help.  I'm thankful for excellent veterinarians in town.  

So, to continue the tales of Carl and his stay with Grandma...

Sunday, I insisted he stay in the cone.  He learned to get around the house (even around corners) with the cone on.  But he still tried to scratch, even through the cone.  Mid-afternoon, another stitch popped, and blood spurted on the inside of the cone.  I had already called the Veterinary ER and asked about stitches popping, describing the medication protocol he was on.  She seemed unconcerned, as long as the meds were being taken as directed.  But she also said if I was concerned, just bring him in, you don't need an appointment.  

Over we headed. Carl was a very good boy.  We had to sit in the waiting room at the ER vet for about an hour.  He did not bark or growl at the other dogs there, or even at a sedated cat that was discharged during that time.  Since the ER Vet is about the only game in town on a Sunday, they are always busy.  When it was finally our turn, the vet looked him over, and declared that it looked about what she would expect at this point in the healing.  They could keep him, clean him up, or I could take him home, keep medicating, washcloth if he would let me, etc.  She reassured me that I was doing all the right things, best I could.

With renewed confidence, I got Carl to allow the washcloth to wipe off any blood that escaped. The regular vet had indicated that there could still be some discharge or blood on the exterior, but the drainage was set to go internally, into his mouth where he would swallow.  Gross, huh?

Sunday night Carl came up to bed, getting himself all the way upstairs, cone and all.  I coaxed him even to jump up on the big bed, and he slept well overnight, cone and all.  

Something I learned from all this... dogs really need their sense of smell up close to determine a spot that's "safe" to pee or poop.  Carl "held it" all the way from Friday evening until Monday morning.  Well, the pee only from Saturday morning to Monday morning, but still, that's an incredible hold.  I suspected it might help if I took the cone off to take him out in the yard. I got a good long pee, and a nice sized poop from him at that point!  With the cone back on, he did not go again during any of our trips outdoors.

The kids left Colorado this morning, reached their house around 3, unloaded the truck, and came over for the canine hand-off.  They were packed up and gone by 4, at which point I told the cats that the dog was gone.  I brought their dishes inside.  The Prisoner followed, soon after.  Just call it the rotating pet center!

I was left with wonderful thank you gifts, including my Kryptonite in dark chocolate form.  Also some organic coffee and a new mug from Mesa Verde.

These are like Milky Way Midnight (dark chocolate with caramel) but with sea salt sprinkled atop the dark chocolate, and mega-high quality!

Whew!  I loved having Carl, but I'm ready for a break.  Tomorrow it's back to the gym and the trainer!

Life is good.  Spark on!