Delicious Dinners

Our friends have been so generous with meals.  We have been gifted with more than 21 weekdays of dinners!!  That's more than four weeks that we don't have to worry about shopping and cooking, which take so much energy.  It's so very kind of my friends--friends from old and new church, the neighborhood, Girl Scouts, and my old playgroup; knowing they're thinking of and helping us means so much.

And the food has been pretty good!  Sure, it's a lot of pasta, but we really like pasta and it's easy because it reheats well and can last for a couple of days.  I've taken batches of baked spaghetti or ziti to dozens of people myself (for the last 8 or 9 years, beginning when all my friends started having second children!)  And they're bringing dinner in disposable or non-returnable dishes which makes it so easy (otherwise, I'll inadvertently never return the right casserole dish.)  It's funny how many vegetables we're NOT getting.  A bag salad once or so, and a few roasted vegetables, but otherwise, we get a lot more bread and dessert.  I usually take a bag salad (plus bread and dessert, sometimes a bag of oranges or clementines), unless I make the pasta with the broccoli in it, but I'm starting to rethink that--I'm not sure people really eat bag salad.  I wonder what else I could take?  My roasted vegetables (green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, kale, butternut squash, or brussel sprouts) just don't travel or reheat well.  Hmmm, will give it some thought.  

So a HUGE thank you to all of my local cooking friends, especially Miss B who organized the meals through the meal-sharing website our group always uses.  

For my own meal sharing tips and recipes, see here. 


-=-=-=-=-=-=-
I'll add meals as they come.  This week:  meatloaf, French lentil stew, a TBD slow cooker meal, and a lemon chicken bow tie pasta dish.

Miss BA's Turkey Meatballs

It’s my chicken meatball recipe & I think I put one piece of pork sausage in yours, (took it out of the casein).

It differs every time, but here is the basic recipe.

1 lb of chicken

½ cup of parmesan cheese

½ cup of bread crumbs

2 cloves of garlic

½ tsp. salt

2 tbsp. grape seed oil (or olive  oil)

2 tsp. oregano (I usually use Emeril’s Italian  dry mix)

1 egg

And a trick my father in-law taught me to keep the meatballs round, roll them lightly in flour before putting them in the hot oil.

Miss LS's Turkey and Fixin's

"As to the gravy, I use lots of herbs on the turkey itself, so the drippings make amazing gravy. Sometimes I use apple or lemon in the cavity, but I used celery this time. Also sage, rosemary, and paprika on the turkey skin. I can take no credit for the stuffing--it's the only one we could find without chicken stock, organic, too. The veggies were cooked together with butter and basil paste from the produce section. It comes in a tube and is expensive when not on sale, but a great time saver and the kids love it, so we stock up at sale time. The trick to them is all in the size of the cut on each one. Squash has to be pretty large to avoid the mush. We like them close to raw, so I tend to err on that side. I'm sure you'll be cooking again soon!"

Miss JD's Lasagna

 "For the sauce I just roast tomatoes, garlic, onion, with some seasonings...salt, pepper, basil, oregano,  for about 45 min at 375...then I just mash all together with a potato masher...I like it chunky but you can certainly puree if you like it creamier.  

The lasagna is just ricotta and mozzarella and I added spinach ....I always wing making lasagna...never comes out the same.  Sorry I don't have a "real" recipe."

Miss RZ's Butternut Squash Soup

coming soon

Miss PD's Ricotta Dumplings

For dumplings

1 pound whole-milk ricotta, drained

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus more for serving, if desired

1/2 teaspoon lemon zest

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

2 eggs

Baking powder

1½ cup flour, sifted

Kosher salt

For sauce

1 stick unsalted butter

1/2 cup pecans, roasted

1 cup diced pumpkin, roasted, or 1 cup frozen cubed butternut squash, defrosted

1 tablespoon thinly sliced sage leaves

Freshly ground black pepper

Bring a large pot of salted water to a simmer over medium heat.

Combine ricotta, parmesan, lemon zest, olive oil and eggs in a large bowl. Fold in a pinch of baking 

powder, flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt untnil just combined. Transfer mixture into a piping bag or large 

zip-top bag (with one corner cut off to make a quarter-sized opening). Pipe out 1 inch of dough and 

cut with a knife or kitchen shears directly over the water. Repeat until bag is empty. You also can 

roll it out by hand -- it makes for a prettier dumpling.

Cook dumplings for about 1 minute on each side. Drain and set aside.

In separate saute pan, heat butter and pecans over medium heat until butter starts to brown, about

 2 minutes. Add cooked dumplings, pumpkin (or butternut squash) and sage. Season with salt 

and pepper.

Serve with more pecans and parmesan.

Serves 4.

-- Adapted from Janine Booth and Jeff McInnis, Root & Bone, New York City 

Miss LL's Quinoa Stuffed Peppers 

In Freezer Bag:

3 large carrots, grated (about 1 ½ cups)

2 tbsp Wildtree Roasted Garlic Grapeseed Oil

1 ½ tbsp Wildtree Cajun Seasoning Blend

1 tbs Wildtree Garlic Galore

1 package fresh spinach (or frozen), 10 oz

2 cans black beans, 15 oz, drained and rinsed

¾ cup quinoa, rinsed

1 can diced tomatoes, 14.5 oz, drained

1 ½ tsp salt

½ tsp pepper

2 cups water

At cooking time:

4 large (or 6 small) bell peppers, any color, halved lengthwise, ribs and seeds removed

1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese

Combine all ingredients in a gallon size freezer bag, “smush” to allow seasonings to distribute.  Place bag in freezer.

To prepare: Thaw in fridge.  Pour bag contents in large skillet, cover and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer 20 – 25 minutes or until quinoa is tender. Preheat oven to 350. Stir in 1 cup cheese, and season with salt and pepper, if desired. Fill each pepper with quinoa mixture, and place in a baking dish with ¼ cup water in the bottom of the dish. Cover with foil, and bake 1 hour. Uncover, sprinkle each pepper with remaining cheese. Bake an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is brown and bubbly. Let stand 5 minutes. 

Miss R's Meatloaf
She uses the pre-made meatloaf from the Big Y butchers!!!  And bakes it with sweet barbecue sauce.  Yum!

Miss Jen's Turkey Meatball Orzo Soup

• ground turkey
• egg
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small white onion, peeled and diced
• 1 cup diced carrots
• 1 cup diced celery
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
• 6 cups chicken or vegetable stock
• 1 1/2 cups (about 8 ounces) orzo
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 4 cups loosely-packed spinach
• salt and black pepper

Combine ground turkey and egg.  Make into little meatballs by hand.

Heat oil in a large stockpot over medium-high heat. Add onion and saute for 4 minutes, until soft. Add carrots, celery and garlic and saute for an additional 3 minutes. Add meatballs, chicken stock, orzo (pasta), thyme, oregano, rosemary and stir to combine. Bring soup to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente.

Stir in the spinach and cook for 1-2 minutes until it is bright green and wilted. Season with salt and black pepper to taste (if needed). Serve warm.

adapted from Gimme Some Oven

Miss LC's Creamy Lemon Chicken Bow Tie Pasta

• 12 oz dried pasta
• 2 chicken breasts, sliced into small strips (uncooked or precooked)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 tsp dried Basil
• 1 lemon, juiced (or if you use bottled lemon juice, use whatever is equivalent to 1 lemon.  I originally recommended 1/2 cup, but different lemon juices may be more concentrated...)
• 1 cup of half n half or heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, plus a bit more to top the dish after cooking
• Salt and pepper
• additional adobo and sazon, for flavor
• 1 cup of reserved pasta cooking liquid
• 1 tsp of cornstarch (if needed)

1. Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling, salted water.  When draining the pasta, reserve about a cup of the pasta cooking liquid.  Keep pasta warm. (To keep the pasta from sticking together after cooking, you can mix in about 1 tsp of olive oil.)
2. While the pasta is cooking, season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat a large skillet over medium high and add 3 tablespoons of olive oil, chicken, garlic to a saute pan with. Cook until chicken is golden and completely cooked. (If using precooked chicken, saute the garlic about 3 minutes before adding the chicken, then cook a minute or to longer until the chicken is thoroughly coated and hot.)
3. Add about 1/2 cup of pasta cooking liquid, lemon juice, Parmesan cheese and cream to the chicken mixture.  Cook over medium heat until the sauce has thickened.  If you want a little more cream sauce, add the rest of the reserved pasta cooking liquid.  (If you want your cream sauce thicker, add a tsp of corn starch to 2 tablespoons of water and mix into the sauce.  Continue cooking until desired thickness is achieved.)
4. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and turn heat off.  Mix everything together until pasta is thoroughly coated.  Top with dried basil, cracked fresh pepper and additional Parmesan cheese.

Serve and Enjoy!

adapted from Scattered Thoughts from a Crafty Mom

Miss KMc's Chicken and Broccoli Pasta

I'm so glad they liked it! It is a huge hit in my house too
Ingredients: a lb of chicken,3/4 lb of pasta, 1 tablespoon of oil, 2 tbsp of butter, garlic to taste (I don't use too much as my kids will get suspicious if they smell it), 1 chicken bouillon cube, chopped onions (again I only use a little- not even a quarter of onion),1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup of heavy cream, 3/4 cup milk, 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese, scallions and 2 bunches of broccoli crowns.
Heat the oil and butter with the garlic. Add the cut up chicken and cook on medium until browned.
Remove the chicken but leave the oil.
Add the onion and cook for about 3-5 minutes.
Add the crumbled up bouillon cube and water.
Bring to a boil for 5 minutes.
Stir in the cream, milk, finely chopped scallions and Parmesan. Simmer until heated through and thickened then add the chicken back to the sauce.
Cook the pasta- I add the broccoli in the last 5 minutes. Then drain and mix all together!
Enjoy!!

My First Outing

I went out on my first non-medical outing today!!  I had thought it up on Friday and looked forward to it for two days.  So, not long after Gommie headed to the Mark Twain House and Harriet Beecher Stowe House in Hartford, we headed to the British Shoppe!

(Gommie enjoyed the houses and her time away!)

It's a pretty drive to the store, which is small and manageable.  I was only uncomfortable a few times, when we hit some of the seasonal potholes.  And then we shopped!  Jammie Dodgers, Jaffa cakes, cockles, kippers, and various crisps for N.  All sorts of soon-to-be-banned Cadbury chocolates for Sis.  And then Mama and I got some Elderflower cordial, Garibaldis, milk chocolate digestives, and a couple of tea towels--Irish green with Celtic knots, in honor of Aunt Sis, who loved all things Celtic.  I hang my tea towels on my refrigerator, with two strong clip magnets, almost like a changeable fabric poster.
While we were pursuing the 50%-off giant Easter eggs in all flavors and themes (Iron Man, anyone?), Mama called in our lunch order to our nearby favorite German restaurant.  I wasn't going to be able to sit to eat for a whole restaurant meal, so we were taking it home:  sauerbraten, rouladen, schnitzel, spaetzle, red cabbage, German potato salad, green salad, potato pancakes, and our recent discovery Curry Wurst (think little hot dog rounds in a curried tomato gravy not unlike Heinz baked beans; apparently, they're really big in Berlin, I think it was.)  Because it's starchy and stewy, it lasts just fine in the car and was delicious and hot when we got home.

I was tired for a bit--I guess from all the bouncing on the potholes and just the strain of being out, even if it was mostly riding in the car--but managed a couple of afternoon walks and then a nap.  But the good it did me to get out of the house, see a change of scenery, have some totally different food, and even pick up a few treats to bring home was immeasurable.

I wonder where my outing next weekend will be?!!

I'm thinking something with a less-than-30-minute car ride and a bit more but not a ton of walking.

(The kids are going with Gommie on a few outings this spring break week, but I'll be home.)

All Good

Two check-ups today:  The surgeon says I'm doing just fine.  The infection is in the belly button, one of the dirtiest places, apparently.  But it's not a "bad" infection--superficial--and will go away, most likely, with antibiotic cream and regular washing in the shower.

Otherwise, she poked and prodded and is pleased.  No carrying more than a jug of milk or equivalent for 6 to 8 weeks.  No driving til I'm not on narcotics.  (Stepping down from the Percocet to Vicodin and then later to Tylenol with codeine.)  Just walking, no PT for months; stairs are good.  Regular food.  If I have nausea, vomiting, chills, fever at 101, or abdominal pain, I go to the ER, paging them on the way.  Only down note:  it is possible, in the future, that I'll have another hernia in that messed up belly button area, but for now it's stitched and healing.  I can handle a hernia--know what to look for, even before they are critical strangulated and incarcerated--and, well, I won't be pregnant!

So, that's encouraging.  I like our surgeon.  She can repair all my future hernias!

My second check up was with my therapist, the cognitive one.  The surgery and Aunt Sis's death were a big one-two punch, so it's good to sit with her and discuss fear, anxiety, sadness, even anger and frustration.  It's a lot of work--meditating, recognizing and naming feelings, speaking truth even when it's hard, maintaining perspective, letting go of control and the compulsion to fix everything--to stay grounded and mindful but it really makes all the difference.  I am so much better off--mentally/emotionally/spiritually stronger--than I was four and a half years ago with my back injury.

I'll spend the rest of the day resting from all the poking, physically and mentally.  Gommie and I are watching the Grey Gardens remake, eating chicken and eggplant parms from the Italian deli.

Something Besides Tea

I'm getting tired of drinking water and iced tea.  And so, last night, I perused my homemade soda books, from when Mama got the Soda Stream last year.  I found a few sodas, not super sugary, that I can make to vary things a bit.  I'm thinking of it as flavored seltzer.  And since it's homemade syrup, I can vary the strength.  Yum, not sure which one to make first, Dried Cherry Soda or Almond Honey Cream Soda.  And there's still my old London Fog soda.


Dried Cherry Soda
2 cups water
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup dried sweet cherries

In medium saucepan over medium heat, bring water, sugar, and cherries to a boil.  Remove from heat and steep for two hours.

Using a stick blender, fork, or potato masher, break up cherries til mixture is chunky (do not blend smooth.)  Strain, discard cherries, and let cool.  Store syrup for up to 14 days.

To serve:  fill class with ice.  Add 3 tablespoons syrup and a few dashes of citric acid or acid phosphate (I'm using lemon juice).  Top with seltzer and mix gently.

Anton Nocito, Make Your Own Soda


Almond Honey Cream Soda
Honey Milk
3/4 cup honey
1/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract

Combine the honey, milk, and extracts, stir until smooth.  This syrup will keep in fridge for 3 days.

To serve:  1/3 cup honey milk and 1 cup seltzer.  Pour syrup in glass and add seltzer.  Mix until just blended.

Andrew Schloss, Homemade Soda



London Fog on Ice

Makes 1 1/2 cups of syrup

1 vanilla bean, halved and split

1 cup sugar

3-4 bags of Earl Grey tea

1 cup water

Soda water

Half-and-half or whole milk

To make the simple syrup, combine the vanilla bean and sugar in a small saucepan. Rub the vanilla bean into the sugar with the back of a spoon until the mixture is fragrant. Add the tea bags and water. Cook over medium-low heat and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Turn up the heat to medium and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Turn off the heat, and use tongs to remove the tea bags right away to avoid bitterness. Allow syrup to cool before using.
To make the soda, fill an 8-ounce glass with ice. Fill three-quarters full with soda water. Add 1/8 to 1/4 cup syrup, depending on desired sweetness. Top with half-and-half and more soda, if desired.

from NPR piece

Ups and Downs

It's been an okay few days.

Monday found me having that ultrasound.  Turns out, I have both a DVT in my calf and phlebitis in my thigh.  So, I'm staying on the Xarelto.  The clot is better, but I can still feel it.

We've had some more great meals from friends and Gommie also made Sis's favorite chicken, rice, and gravy one of those nights.

And I've had the first visits from friends.  My friend from the historic house stopped by very briefly--she's sick and didn't want to share--to give us some forsythia branches, which will bloom yellow soon.  And Mama Teacher came for lunch yesterday and a nice long chat.  She and I had surgery the same day, the same time (I was actually supposed to drive her to the hospital and be with her and help in the following days.  I'm still so sorry I couldn't be there for her.  She's helped us so much.)--hers was scheduled though!--so we could compare recoveries and such.  She looks great, though she's tired of hobbling around on crutches.  It was good to spend some time together.

Then last night, Sis had sign language class here at the house and so I got to talk to my friend, her teacher.  She had had shoulder surgery two months ago, so we could commiserate.  Signing was a work out for my core, that's for sure.  And I laughed too much, but it was a good visit.  And class for Sis.  Her husband picked her up afterwards and said I looked like I lost 20 lbs or more!  Which is not true.  I lost maybe 5, maybe, which hardly seems fair after no food and the removal of body parts!!!  And I imagine it will come right back with all the lack of exercise and bland, non-raw food. But what I do know and what everyone has commented on is that my stomach is flatter--I guess the bulgy knot/obstruction had been taking up space, at the top of my belly, and growing for awhile.  Even I can see the difference.  Kinda nasty.

My infection comes and goes.  The doctors don't seem that worried (I called to check in yesterday.)  I'm not even on antibiotics.  I see my surgeon tomorrow and only need to worry if I have nausea, vomiting, fever of 101, or abdominal pain, or a lot more drainage.  Ick.  Then I have to go straight to the ER.  I didn't feel great yesterday--probably as much mental as physical (I HATE thinking of the infection and my incision)--but I feel much better than that this morning . . . one day at a time.

What else?  On an up note, I did sit at the piano yesterday and play "Finlandia" my recital song twice through, the first time since my surgery.  Still don't know if I'll play at the recital in two weeks.

The kids have spring break next week and Gommie is planning some fun local getaways, which is perfect.  Don't want them staring at me, bored, all next week.

Okay, I think that's it.  All in all, good.  Happy Thursday, friends!

Four Necklaces

On Friday morning, I gave Mama and the kids each a necklace, with a circular medallion with "I love you" in English and the international ASL sign on each side.  A gift to let them know how much I love them, especially after my surgery last week, and also a gift to commemorate Aunt Sis's life, and death, which I told the kids about on Friday.

We had waited til Friday to give them a chance to recuperate after my own hospitalization and to put as much time between my return and their learning of her death.  We all hugged and cried together.  Sis, who is my aunt's namesake, has taken it hard, quietly.  Bud is also sad, but reaches out for hugs and cuddles, even telling me that he was sorry he hadn't gotten to know her better.  Sniff.  I don't know how much they will recall in years to come, but I will do my best to keep her memory alive.

And so we all wear the necklaces, a little bit of love giving us a hug around the neck.  We need that reassurance of connection these days.

Easter Weekend

One of the reasons we were so excited that Gommie could come up was so that she could help us celebrate Easter this weekend.  And celebrate we did!

The day started with our traditional visit from our non-traditional Easter Penguin, who left a treat near the fairy-door entrance to our house.  I can't even recall what he left--there were so many treats and gifts this weekend (the bunny and penguin must have felt for us.)

Then we decorated Easter eggs.  We had about 3 dozen boiled white-shelled eggs, so one for Bud and Sis separately, and one for me and Gommie to split.  Except then a few cracked in the boiling process so it was about 7 for Gommie and me.  I always read such fantastic and inventive ways to decorate eggs online, but we went with the really straightforward:  Pas colorful tab dyes in vinegar.  Sis likes to play with the colors and takes her dyeing very seriously.  I tried a food-coloring-in-rice technique that I just discovered and that looked easy, except my food colorings are gel not liquid and so it didn't quite work, but it has great promise.  And it got hard sticky rice everywhere!  And finally, we did some doodle, or Zentangle, eggs.  Bud, Gommie, and I really got into this with our colorful Sharpie collection--grids, Cadent, swirls, roses, "Zendala" flowers, spirals, starbursts, etc.  We had such fun.  Though, each of us discovered separately how hard it is to make a grid on an elliptical egg!  Luckily, we're over being egg perfectionists so that it didn't matter that the grids didn't meet well.  And they looked beautiful altogether.

Sis also made the delicious apple crumb cake, while Gommie and Mama threw together the pimiento cheese recipe to set overnight.

Otherwise, we relaxed.  I sat on the couch--I'm mobile enough to be downstairs all day (pain-wise, this is much easier than my back injury; mentally and physically, I know it is really much more serious)--with walking, sitting, and some napping in the afternoon.  We watched Penguins of Madagascar.  Sis went to ice skating.  Bud practiced kung fu.  Gommie put together her very first Lego set all by herself!!! (Really, I'm very impressed--I've never tried to make one.  And Bud was thrilled that she was interested.)  I did a little walking outside, to admire the beginning crocus, daffodil, and hyacinth blossoms. Sis even constructed Easter nests outside, with branches from the boxwood and pine tree, the only green in the yard, and put one of her yard ornament rabbits next to them. And dear Lambeth called to check in--it was great to talk to you!!!  (Then I went to the surgeon, not relaxing, but that was another post.)

At bedtime, Sis put out carrots and apparently left a survey for the Easter Bunny to complete--with questions about what the bunny's name was, what she looked like, how many there are, and if our cats were nice to her!  (Oh, and if she were a boy or girl bunny.)

Sis was up early the next morning, so ready for what she says is her favorite holiday.  They tried not to wake us up before 7, but we could hear their giggling through the walls, especially because the bunny had answered the survey and left them treats in their plastic collecting baskets (vs. their wicker gift baskets.)  We were up and downstairs looking for eggs in no time.

BTW:  Her name is Scamper Cottontail.  She is a girl bunny, specifically a white Angorra bunny, normal-sized but she has magic to manage things.  There are lots of Easter Bunnies, divided by county to get the job down.  She likes to deliver eggs, "glitter pink" being her favorite color.  And our cats were very nice to her.  She even petted Patron's tummy and Mojito purred at her.  Albus followed her about and Hermione is just so sweet!

Okay, there were dozens of plastic eggs all over the downstairs living rooms and the kids made rather short work of finding them all, mostly without fighting with each other over who found which egg (no calling, "I see it, that's mine!").  They were filled with trinkets (post its, little plastic figures) and coins.

And then we retrieved our gift baskets off the front porch.  So many wonderful gifts from the bunny!  At our house, even adults get things.  Gommie got a Zentangle book and Mama got some DS games (and a 3DS player), plus candy (caramels and jelly beans for Gommie) and salty things (something from Trader Joe's like Corn Nuts--yes, Scamper apparently shops at Trader Joe's!), plus Mojito mix!  The kids got pajamas, small Legos, lots of chocolate (the Autism Speaks-supporting Lindt bunnies only!), other treats, figurines for Infinity and Smash Brothers games, and some DVDs (Into the Woods, Hobbit: Battle of Five Armies) and a game (Just Dance 2014.)  I got scarves (one b&w infinity scarf and one pastel Easter egg-colored scarf), a little figurine of a woman holding a bunny, Speculoos cookies and chocolate bar, Prismacolor pencils, and a new sketchbook.  I think Scamper felt bad for all of us!  We were spoiled to the hilt.

By 8 a.m., we let the kids run around outside looking for the dyed eggs, which the bunny always hides outside (can't have cats eating boiled eggs . . . or have us not find one!)  They missed all the really obvious ones (on my windshield and bumper, in the pot next to the front door!) and found the more tricky ones, which was funny to watch.  Apparently, there are two missing eggs still.  I'm guessing our raccoons had a special treat.  And there was yet one more treat in their outdoor nests!  That bunny!  It was a beautiful morning and I enjoyed walking the driveway and front walk (the ground is sometimes too uneven when I don't feel sure-footed.)

Whew.  8:30 a.m. and we felt like we'd had a full day already (or at least, I did!)  We spent the whole day playing with said treats--Gommie and the kids danced "YMCA" on Just Dance.  We all watched Into the Woods, which was good even if they cut some good songs and shortened the second act too much.  It's a very nice show.  Gommie doodled with her new supplies.  Mama had the longest nap she's had in ages.

And we ate.  There was a bit of smoked ham from Nodine's, which we'd saved in the freezer.  Plus roasted potatoes, asparagus, green beans, and carrots. Plus pimiento cheese salad with crackers and dinner rolls.  There was also delicious leftover butternut squash soup, from a friend's delivery on Saturday (we've been getting awesome meals!)  And the apple cake.  It wasn't formal--we huddled around our small kitchen table without even formally setting it.  But we were all their together, which was a treat in itself.

I didn't reflect too closely on Easter themes this year--death, rebirth, renewal, etc hit a little to close to home, between my emergency surgery and Aunt Sis's death.  So we embraced family and fun and creativity and food, life-sustaining, life-affirming activities.  And we were rewarded with a wonderful day!

Monday

Gommie and I are watching tv--lots of BBC like "Mr. Selfridge" and now "Sherlock," alas I didn't set our new cable/DVR system right to tape "Wolf Hall," but I got it for tonight--and resting after a wonderful Easter and several days of intensive activity.  Well, as intense as two wounded folks can do.  Mom's stenosis needs a break and I'm, well, still recuperating.

Especially because there were signs of infection this weekend and the surgeon on call saw me Saturday afternoon.  Instead of treating the minor surface infection with meds, he removed my 20 staples and packed, ugh, the bit that was oozing.  I've got butterfly tape across the whole thing, plus dressing, and my binder to hold me altogether.  It was exhausting.  Plus, he really questions the cardiologist's diagnosis of the blood clot--he thinks it's a vein infection, phlebitis--and so said to call Monday to schedule new tests.

I go for an ultrasound on my leg at 3.  In retrospect, I realize the cardiologist was less than thorough and I would rather not be on the heavy-hitting Xarelto, so I'm glad for the test.  Well, as glad as I can be about another little tick in my recovery timeline.  Still, ultrasounds are easy.

So, that's where we are today.  Lots of rest.

I'll tell you all about Easter in another post.

Well, Just *&$%#

I awoke with a painful, tender spot in my thigh today, clearly red and swelling.  I'd been having pain in my calf, which I thought was a muscle pull.

Cardiologist confirms this afternoon that it's a blood clot, or DVT.

Of course, the only thing I know about DVTs is that they kill you.  But apparently that is quite rare.  Very rare.  Let's just keep going.

Anyway, new treatment is at home, medically, with pill Xarelto.  For 4 months.

No exercise, lots of rest, going to ER if I have trouble breathing or chest pain (pulmonary embolism, that would kill you, rare, though, remember?), calling cardiologist and surgeon if there is any bleeding--it is an anti-coagulant, after all.  Apparently, the heparin and leg cuffs I was on didn't stop the clot.

Typical post-surgery.

But I've had enough.

Lessons from my Aunt

My beloved aunt has died.

It happened while I was in the hospital and so it's taken me awhile to write a proper post.  I have so much I could say, particularly a recitation of all my good memories--learning ASL with her, working at camp during the summer near her, going to college in her town, all of our letters and phone calls and visits in my four plus decades--or a sketch of her personality and character and a mini-bio.

But I've boiled it down, instead, to lessons I absorbed (and will continue to) through our time together. 

• Be creative and make something beautiful.  She sketched, painted, took photographs, made lovely gift tags, wrote beautiful longhand letters.
• Look for the good. . . avoid the negative.  We always said she had rose-colored glasses.
• Take it easy. No stress re world events, future, competition, ambition.  She was mindful before it was a thing.
• Always have good snacks on hand.  She would serve yummy nibbles--special olives, crackers, cookies.
• Have rituals and traditions. She kept a daily weather journal, had a daily 5 o'clock drink, and hosted a big Bay Fest party every year.
• Make the most of the moment and celebrate!  Not just birthdays and bay fests and Christmas, she liked to make littler moments special.  And she would make celebrations last as long as possible (birthdays and Christmas didn't have to be just one day.)  Also, anticipation was sometimes the best part.
• Learn something new and pursue special interests.  Keep reading, thinking, listening.  She loved Renaissance, Pre-Raphaelite, and Pre-Columbian art (especially Botticelli and Michelangelo and Rosetti), Napoleon and French history (being born on Bastille Day and all), Scottish music.
• Plan. Make lists of things you need to do. Save for college, vacations.
• Live simply. No consumerism or materialism, no acquisition of stuff, no interest in brands, trends, fashions, styles.
• Accept and embrace others. She welcomed all--her Catholic monk son, her lesbian niece, Chinese niece-in-law, Downs syndrome granddaughter, all of her deaf and special needs students, etc.  
• Listen and pay attention.  When you were with her, you were the center of everything.  She always made me feel so special.
• Embellishment makes things interesting.  She loved to talk about her Picasso table and our Scottish ancestry going back to the court of Mary, Queen of Scots (including "our" castle.)
• Make your own opportunities (always carry your swimsuit just in case!)

May she rest in peace and may those of us who loved her be comforted.

Thursday's Update

It's just so good to be home.  Yes, I hurt and am very tired, and, yes, it's going to be a long slow road--it is a 10" incision with 20 staples, but a few laparocopic holes for good measure.  But other than that, I feel pretty good.

Of course, we're surrounded by love and support--meals, calls, emails, FB posts, cards, prayers, etc etc.  It means so much, helps so much.  Tomorrow, Gommie arrives to help keep things flowing smoothly.  And to celebrate Easter.  Sure, she's the walking wounded too, with her knee (torn meniscus) and back (spinal stenosis) issues, but any little bit helps, and the kids will bask in the attention.  So will I.

For now, I get my staples out next Friday and will start PT sometime in the next month or so.  My physical issues are complicated at the best of times.  And now I'm back to not having a core, since they sliced right through it.  I'll need to build that up again, best I can, and keep strengthening.  I expect hiccups--maybe even big ones with my back, which relies on my core such as it is--progress is never a straight line, but a series of loop-de-loops.

We have made some hard decisions, though, in deference to my surgery and recovery:

• the biggest:  I'm putting off applying for seminary for a year.  It's too much to think of applying now and being ready to go in August for full-time school and volunteer internship.  It's not a cancellation, just a postponement.
• We have canceled lots of minor activities--tickets to see Helen Mirren on Broadway, our last-minute free getaway Easter in Vermont (found out we could go on the day of the surgery, oh well), spring break visit to Block Island, maybe my piano recital at the end of April.  Bigger trips to Texas this summer and our fantasy of going to London for Christmas are also off the books as well.
• I'm stepping back from all of my usual activities--hospice, Girl Scouts, historic house.  I can help behind-the-scenes some but can't attend those weekly as I have.  I'll go back to them.  But physically, it's just too much right now.  

It's all good, one day at a time, staying home with my family, connecting with my friends. 

I'm very fortunate and I know it.  

And in the coming days and weeks, I'll tell you more of my insights from the hospital, especially with regards to chaplaincy.  

For now, I'm eating lunch and watching a movie with Mama and the cats.

Home

I just woke up in my own bed!!  So good to be home.

Updates

Here we go, a short recitation of my life since last Wednesday, I'm using google voice recognition because there is still an IV needle Medlock in my right hand.

Wed:  the pain started around 2 though I hadn't felt well while grocery shopping at 130. but at some point I looked at my belly button and noticed the petechiae and bruising and realized that the sharp pains and nausea are not good. I called my doctor and Mama and we got to the ER around 3:45. I had probably six injections of morphine before the evening was over so bad was the abdominal pain and cramping. The doctors were concerned about the bruising around my belly button / hernia scar and so they were talking surgery.

Thur:  surgery was first thing in the morning I think, but only after the painful introduction of the nasogastric intestinal tube.  I don't want to talk about it. I don't remember most of the rest of the day I think the surgery took a few hours and I didn't learn until a few days later that they removed a 6 to 8 inch portion of my small intestine which had become wrapped up and even infiltrated by the mesh from my old hernia scar.  Apparently they were really worried.  They started the surgery laparoscopically but had to move to a full abdominal incision from my breast bone almost to my c-section scar. I'm told I still have my belly button but I have refused to look.  I am think there are dozens of staples.

Friday:  I think I slept most of the day Friday in a darkened room on lots of morphine and other things. All I remember is the Tube. Though at one time I also had the Foley, oxygen, and the two IVs.    I remember the ancient aliens guy with the fluffy hair. at some point I also watched dangerous weather shows and something about quicksand.  I know I was on some heavy morphine because I have weird memories of feeling like I was floating or flying between the puffing and deflating of the special bed mattress and the leg cuffs for clots.  I didn't feel like I had a regular body, the leg cuffs especially were like a special massage, the part of me that felt the very best. It was trippy.

My beloved Mama was with me the whole time, also juggling dear Babysitter and miss K and daughter babysitter who were lifesavers.  I got some beautiful red roses from Gommie and Pop which brighten the room and a sweet little purple vaze of flowers from

Saturday:  I got up to walk around the ward much more on Saturday and in doing so met both of the chaplain and the therapy dog which were really important encounters for me.  Chaplain I talked a little bit about her training and her experiences at the hospital and then we prayed for patience for me because by then the NG tube consumed most of my thoughts. It caused me to feel like I was choking, hindered any speaking, and in general hurt. Even medical professionals who talked to me felt bad about that tube.  Goo visited on his way to spend the day with the kids and relieve mama, which was very nice. He makes a good doctor and sympathetic friend. The kids loved having him to play with. I think this was the day there was snow my days are getting a little confused but it is snowing as I record this and I think it's lovely. I'm in the minority of one on this though. I think that was the night that Aunt Banana and I texted each other and she even ended up talking to my nurses; they found this very sweet and entertaining.  Aunt Banana, these experiences always give me a new appreciation for the amazing and challenging work that you do.  Thank you.

Sunday:  This was a banner day. The Tube came out!  Mama had come for a visit but was down getting lunch when they ripped the 60 millimeter tube out of my nose and throat and stomach. It was the best feeling ever to breathe and swallow and talk again hallelujah! Rejoice!  Swallowing that first sip of cold water was the best thing ever followed by cranberry juice and for dinner jello and putting in sherbert and broth.

But the very best part of Sunday was it the kids came for a visit after their trampoline birthday party with a friend. think they were nervous to come visit which is totally understandable so we sent them a picture of me smiling with the stuffed bunny they'd given me so I looked normal and of course we wouldn't have let them come if the tube had still been in place.  We spent two hours walking in the ward, eating my dinner, meeting my nurses, using the art supplies Mama gotten me-- mama is a hospital genius--hugging and chatting and cuddling and playing on the bed.  The perfect end to a good day.  They'll come back this Monday afternoon and everyday after school that I am not dismissed.  I'm guessing it'll be Tuesday at the earliest.  So I'm doing a ton of walking, drinking, and breathing exercises to be ready.

Some final notes: I am very aware of my privilege with regard to immediate quality emergency healthcare probably very well coveredby our generous insurance supplied by Mama's employer.  I am in the minority even in our rich land and this saddens me even as I benefit from it.

At the same time that I'm going through this, my dear friend, teacher had knee surgery and is at home recovering I was supposed to be her escort and mail provider during this and have not been able to but I hear she is recovering well.  Yay!!!  Also the daughter of a person of my acquaintance has been diagnosed with a heart issue and is in the hospital as well this weekend though not I think the one I'm in. I am grateful that it was me not my children who required emergency surgery last week and I pray for good recovery and prognosis for the little girl.

Lastly there are ever so many people to be thankful for today from the hospital staff doctors nurses and techs to those people closer to us who have helped take care of the kids and those who are surrounding us in love and organizing meals, with sending emails and Facebook updates, too many to mention.  I feel the blessing of their love and care and am grateful for our sacred community.

Updates

Here we go, a short recitation of my life since last Wednesday, I'm using google voice recognition because there is still an IV needle Medlock in my right hand.

Wed:  the pain started around 2 though I hadn't felt well while grocery shopping at 130. but at some point I looked at my belly button and noticed the petechiae and bruising and realized that the sharp pains and nausea are not good. I called my doctor and Mama and we got to the ER around 3:45. I had probably six injections of morphine before the evening was over so bad was the abdominal pain and cramping. The doctors were concerned about the bruising around my belly button / hernia scar and so they were talking surgery.

Thur:  surgery was first thing in the morning I think, but only after the painful introduction of the nasogastric intestinal tube.  I don't want to talk about it. I don't remember most of the rest of the day I think the surgery took a few hours and I didn't learn until a few days later that they removed a 6 to 8 inch portion of my small intestine which had become wrapped up and even infiltrated by the mesh from my old hernia scar.  Apparently they were really worried.  They started the surgery laparoscopically but had to move to a full abdominal incision from my breast bone almost to my c-section scar. I'm told I still have my belly button but I have refused to look.  I am think there are dozens of staples.

Friday:  I think I slept most of the day Friday in a darkened room on lots of morphine and other things. All I remember is the Tube. Though at one time I also had the Foley, oxygen, and the two IVs.    I remember the ancient aliens guy with the fluffy hair. at some point I also watched dangerous weather shows and something about quicksand.  My beloved Mama was with me the whole time, also juggling dear Babysitter and miss K and daughter babysitter who were lifesavers.  I got some beautiful red roses from Gommie and Pop which brighten the room and a sweet little purple vaze of flowers from

Saturday:  I got up to walk around the ward much more on Saturday and in doing so met both of the chaplain and the therapy dog which were really important encounters for me.  Chaplain I talked a little bit about her training and her experiences at the hospital and then we prayed for patience for me because by then the NG tube consumed most of my thoughts. It caused me to feel like I was choking, hindered any speaking, and in general hurt. Even medical professionals to talk to me felt bad about that tube.  Goo visit on his way to spend the day with the kids and relieve mama, which was very nice. he makes a good doctor and the sympathetic friend. The kids loved having him to play with. I think this was the day there was snow my days are getting a little confused but it is snowing as I record this and I think it's lovely. I'm in the minority of one on this though.  Facebook that was the night that Aunt Banana and I texted each other and she even ended up talking to my nurses; they found this very sweet and entertaining.  Aunt Banana, these experiences always give me a new appreciation for the amazing and challenging work that you do.  Thank you.

Sunday:  This was a banner day. The Tube came out!  Mama had come for a visit but was down getting lunch when they ripped the 60 millimeter tube out of my nose and throat and stomach. It was the best feeling ever to breathe and swallow and talk again hallelujah! Rejoice!  Swallowing that first sip of cold water was the best thing ever followed by cranberry juice and for dinner jello and putting in sherbert and broth.

But the very best part of sunday was it the kids came for a visit after their trampoline birthday party with a friend. think they were nervous to come visit which is totally understandable so we sent them a picture of me smiling with the stuffed bunny they'd given me so I looked normal and of course we wouldn't have let them come if the tube had still been in place.  We spent two hours walking in the ward, eating my dinner, meeting my nurses, using the art supplies Mama gotten me-- mama is a hospital genius--hugging and chatting and cuddling and playing on the bed.  The perfect end to a good day.  They'll come back this Monday afternoon and everyday after school that I am not dismissed.  I'm guessing it'll be Tuesday at the earliest.

Some final notes: I am very aware of my privilege with regard to immediate quality emergency healthcare probably very well coveredby our generous insurance supplied by Mama's employer.  I am in the minority even in our rich land and this saddens me even as I benefit from it.

At the same time that I'm going through this, my dear friend, teacher had knee surgery and is at home recovering I was supposed to be her escort and mail provider during this and have not been able to but I hear she is recovering well.  Yay!!!  Also the daughter of a person of my acquaintance has been diagnosed with a heart issue and is in the hospital as well this weekend though not I think the one I'm in. I am grateful that it was me not my children who required emergency surgery last week and I pray for good recovery and prognosis for the little girl.

Lastly there are ever so many people to be thankful for today from the hospital staff doctors nurses and techs to those people closer to us who have helped take care of the kids and those who are surrounding us in love and organizing meals, with sending emails and Facebook updates, too many to mention.  I feel the blessing of their love and care and am grateful for our sacred community.

Emergency Surgery

This is Mama posting for Jamie.

Jamie had severe abdominal pain yesterday and had surgery this morning to clear an obstruction (likely related to the umbilical hernia when she was pregnant).

The doctors successfully cleared the obstruction and she is rest comfortably and will be in the hospital a day or so more.

Here I Go

Oh, it's all coming back to me:

Reference letters.
Transcripts.
The personal essay.

Yep, I'm applying for graduate school.

Again.

I mentioned my call to become a UU hospice chaplain and, after much research, I've determined that the best course for me is to pursue a Master of Divinity in order to be a fully accredited chaplain, through the Unitarian Universalist Association.

I can go to school online, with a few intensive weeks at the school, which specializes in a low-residency online program.  It's also a fully recognized UU seminary.  And the program takes three years, including some of the Clinical Pastoral Education credits I would need to become a chaplain.

So, I'm applying.

Nervous.  Excited.  School-weary.  Determined.

I just need to keep the end in sight, my hospice work with dying patients and their families.

Can't wait!  Wish me luck!

24-Hour Sleepover Special

1:30 p.m.  We arrived at our hotel in Sturbridge, MA.  It's close to Old Sturbridge Village, where Sis and I would be overnighting with the Girl Scouts, and has a cute poster of OSV in reception.  Mama took the kids to the Village to look around; I stayed back and stretch and rest.  It's going to be a long night.

While they're out, I got several emails with photos, particularly of them sledding down the hill and of the woolly sheep in the barnyard.  

Mama even gave it a whirl!

4:00 p.m.   We head to dinner at the Publick House nearby, which is an eighteenth-century tavern turned restaurant, inn, and banqueting facility.  A reception was ending as we arrived; a wedding ceremony was being set up as we left!  We ate next to the hearth in the tavern room and had traditional New England fare:  sweet buns, yeast rolls, pumpkin bread, lobster pie, chicken pot pie, poached salmon, turkey dinner with all the trimmings, Grape Nut pudding, Indian pudding, apple pie, and an almond raspberry tart.  Delicious!  And the historical ambience made it even better.  

Oh, and Sis lost a tooth while eating her pot pie!  That girl, teeth coming left and right these days (which is overwhelming our forgetful Tooth Fairy, named Meadow Larkspur.)

5:30 p.m.   We took a quick break before the evening activities, and then . . . 

6:30 p.m.   Our Hop Into History sleepover at Old Sturbridge Village began!  We had 13 girls and six chaperones, which is almost our full troop sans three.  We got our gear settled into our sleeping space (eventually because we changed places once) and started our evening activities.  I have to say that I loved the education building.  It was an open, airy, light space with dozens of semi-divided "classrooms."  Some had old-time kitchens with wooden tables for prep and hearths for cooking; some had looms, others had printing presses.  Everywhere there were hutches, redware pottery, tin utensils, and other period details.  Definitely an educator's paradise.  (Our sleeping space was in one of these homey kitchens.

7:30 p.m.  Our first activity was making Jumbles, or cookies.  They mixed them in a redware bowl with a birch whisk, using rosewater for flavoring (there wasn't any vanilla in the States in the 1830s, I believe.)  Then we baked them on cookie sheets in reflecting ovens placed before a burning fire.  They also made lemonade using powdery sour citric acid, lemon juice, sugar, and water.  All the girls tasted the citric acid and made pucker faces!  These two treats would form our late night snack. 

Next the girls moved to the painting area, where they outlined dogwood flowers on acetate with Sharpies and then colored them in with paints.  Meanwhile, the guide touched delicately on labor issues and had the girls commute how quickly they would have to work to make a dollar a day.  Sis did the math--one painting every twelve minutes for 10 hours at 2 cents each would earn the dollar.  And the girls didn't work anywhere near that fast!

After baking and painting, the group went on a one-hour tour of the village by lantern light.  I stayed back because it was uneven and icy (apparently it was also speedy and I would have had trouble keeping up regardless.)  I've seen the village by candlelight at Christmas so I didn't feel like I was missing much.  

9:00 p.m. Instead, I lay on my little mat and stretched and drew this mandala inspired by some of the early American art around me. See the 9 square and flying geese and Celtic rope?

10:00 p.m.  When they returned from their hike, we had our snack (I couldn't taste the rosewater) and got ready for bed.  This was the part that made me nervous, both for my own ability to sleep on the floor without messing up my back and also for the girls actually getting some sleep.  The former was easier than the latter!  I set up my mat near the entrance to our little area, with my chair nearby. Sis was on the other side of the chimney near her friends. The girls played cards for awhile and then giggled a lot longer.  They stayed chatty after lights out and the lead staff member reprimanded us a few times.  Of course, I'm such a rule follower that I was bothered by the noise--I would have been one of the quiet girls--but in the end, there's not much you can do to shush a bunch of ten-year-olds!  

11:30 p.m.  They fell asleep eventually (though we had one girl who got ill, but she got better quickly--and luckily her mom was with us)--and it was the girls from the other groups who were playing flashlight wars and running around in the dark back and forth to the bathroom (their chaperones were asleep in another section--not very smart, but then I guess it meant the chaperones got to sleep!)  Of course, I didn't sleep much at all.  I imagine I slept in fifteen-minute chunks, or so, listening to all the unusual noises and worrying about the sick girl (and the threat of more sick girls, ugh.  But no one else threw up.)  My bed was as comfortable as it could be and I moved back and forth between it and the chair, which is super comfortable.

6:00 a.m.  By the way, those noisy, wandering girls from the other group?  They woke up and started talking--loudly--an hour before wake-up time!!  The Tooth Fairy had visited Sis in the night, though she needed some help finding Sis, and then Sis didn't find the money.  I knew it had been delivered--how do you say that, though?  So I said I thought I'd seen the Fairy, digging deeper. . . . but it was only very much later that we found the money in her bedding.  I think, though, the proverbial cat is out of the sleeping bag.  (Though, I think it had been for awhile.)  On an up note:  I think all the short naps overnight kept my back from tightening up too much because I was pretty unharmed and barely even stiff after a night on the floor.  Not sure if it was preparation or a miracle, but I'll take it!

7:30 a.m.  We had breakfast--bagels, cereal, and Hasty Pudding (made in a crock pot with white cornmeal, salt, and water) served with craisins and sugar.  Kinda like grits, I thought it needed butter and cream!  No wonder it is a "hasty" meal.

8:15 a.m.  We hiked into the snow-covered village that morning to see a storytelling performance in the lovely old meeting houses.  The kids sat quiet and interested in stories about an old wise magic fish and another about a contest with Old Man Winter.  

 9:15 a.m.  We're packed and ready to go.  Al the girls return to their folks, many head into the village.  Mama and Bud pick us up and I get a quick shower before we head back to the Village.  Bud and Mama had driven around doing some Ingress tracking and then played some games in the hotel.  So not as exciting as our night, but they had a good time.

10:00 a.m.  We wandered around OSV, eventually running into our GS friends.  Sis and Bud enjoyed hanging out with them.  I liked watching the cooking demos, as usual--apple pie in the Parsonage and maple cookies in the Fitch House.  We also picked up some beer bread and maple soda in the little shop.

Then we went to the craft center, where Mama made a spile (the little wooden pegs you use to tap trees for maple sugar time) and I hand-sewed a little seed bag.

12:00 p.m.  For lunch, we went to BT's Smokehouse across the street from the Village.  The line was long, as was the wait.  And it was amazing barbecue!  We had brisket sandwiches, St. Louis ribs, pastrami on rye, smoked salmon, and all the fixin's--the very best collards ever, Texas caviar, mac and cheese, cornbread, cole slaw, and more.  Even Tagalong bread pudding.

And thus, at 3:00 p.m., a little over 24 hours later, we returned home from our special sleepover.  Exhausted, excited, stuffed to the gills.  Sis has already asked where we're overnighting next!

Doodling during the Snow

I STILL Love Snow

Yep, first day of spring and New England is celebrating with snow, specifically 1-3" or more here.

And while I am very glad the 2' of snow all over our yard had melted down to little glacial pockets, I still love to watch the snow fall.  I'm not sorry at all that it is snowing on the first day of spring.

Affirmations

It's been a rough couple of days.  Cold weather and storms, tough part of my cycle, possible endometriosis, and some anxiety about not feeling well.  Vicious cycle.  Nothing awful, just exhausting and frustrating. Except this is a big weekend--our Girl Scout overnight--and I want to go.  So I'm putting the list of affirmations I regularly add to in order to bulk up my confidence and have readily available. I have not had severely debilitating back pain in almost 4 whole years. Last Memorial Day 2014 when I had back pain, I still functioned and did things. I can walk longer and faster than ever before. I know how to cope with pain. I know how to cope with fear. I know there will be pain and fear and I am ready. I have compassion for myself. I have the tools I need--meds, heat pack, brace, stretches, rest. I have great support and understanding in Gin and the kids. I have the time and resources to take it easy. I survived and thrived at Disney World and DC and Boston and Philadelphia and Houston. Even though EPCOT was hard, I got through it. I've done  basketball water basketball long movies Lion King, Phantom of the Opera, Les Mis, Wicked, Vagina Monologues the flight to Texas museums our nano-honeymoon in NYC (and all those stairs at the Merchant House) restaurants at night walking in the snow snow angels canoeing laundry baking unloading the dishwasher walking on the treadmill sitting on the floor with the cats taking a real bath. I can sit at a hospital bedside and visit for hours. I can light a fire and cook over it. I can go swimming. I took Food, Fire, & Fun. I took Archery and was certified as an instructor. I passed First Aid and CPR--I can give mouth-to-mouth and use an AED. I have ridden on parade floats and given a lecture on costuming in full corseted costume. I can sit at the piano and play "Finlandia." I am learning ASL. I went on a retreat by myself.  I sat at length, creating art.  I even took yoga. I have won 4 stars on Just Dance, dancing to "Bang, Bang." I flew to England and back.. I did Cardiff. I did England. I can do this.

Irish Tonight

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

We did most of our celebrating this weekend, with soda bread and a corned beef dinner.  The kids are passed the age of Leprechaun traps (I don't think they ever did that, though it's huge in the younger grades now.)  And there is no pinching people who don't wear green up here--mainly because most of Connecticut is Irish and they NEVER forget to wear green.

But for us, it was a pretty ordinary day.

Tonight, we had a fundraiser at the historic house.  We had a corned beef sandwich dinner and Irish music by a local trio.  Lots of alcohol, including Irish coffee with either Jameson's or something like Bailey's.  I hung out with dear friends, including Mrs. S and family, and talked about all manner of things.  I also caught up with some of our board members and docents.  My main job this even was accompanying the videographer, my neighbor Mr. J from up the street, who is making a video of our little house to be used for marketing and education.  He got some great shots of the house filled with happy, celebrating people.

We also had a raffle.  Board members procure items through donation or purchase.  I made an afghan.  It was fun to watch the winner receive it; she was so excited.  I even spoke to her later.  She had spoken to her 90+ year old mother who was down in the dumps so she was going to send it to her.  I'm so glad she liked it.

I brought home some extras to Mama, who had her own solitary party--just the way she likes to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.

-=-=-=-=

In an interesting twist, there was a solar storm with Aurora Borealis possibly predicted for our latitude (it reached a 7.33 Kp; we're between 7 and 8, probably closer to 8.)  So Mama and I went outside--to look for green in the sky!  But didn't see any green sky, even for St. Patrick's Day.

In Memoriam

My dear old hospice patient died this morning, an hour or so ago, I'm told.  He was a WWII veteran (who cheated on his eye examine to get into the Navy!) and had just celebrated a major birthday milestone with his family.  I've been visiting with him since around Halloween, mostly chatting about the headlines and weather, with some discussion of his wishes.  Towards the end, I did most of the talking, some singing, and just sitting holding hands.  It really was a privilege and pleasure to sit with him these last few months.