Hello Blogophiles!
I have just completed our third house exchange arrangement. Tony and Francois of Reading (like the colour) will be allowing us to stay in their house July 6-July 23, 2009. This will be followed by the Potts, who have agreed to brave the rigors of late July-early August on the river while we occupy their home in Chichester. From Chichester, we will be headed to the east coast of Ireland-just south of Dublin for August 6- 27th.
I am hoping we can cross the pond before the 4th of July weekend, and have a few days in London before heading to Reading.
I am working my way through a small stack of British history books in preperation. I have also found a few ancestors leads-a castle here, a title there. I'll keep working on the ancestry and see if I can find anyone in the National Portrait Gallery.
Anyone having recommendations for places to stay in London or books to help orient us is welcome to pass them on.
Kay
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
As I Live and Breathe....
I have just watched the evening news on TV, and am streaming NPR as I type. I cannot tell you the joy I feel at watching the CEO's of the auto industry with hats in hand coming before a Democratic Congress and needing to fill out a welfare form. "Who came here via commercial air? Anybody even fly first class? Who is willing to cut their multi million dollar salary? Chrysler, $1 sounds about right. Anybody else? Ford?" Of course, they'll all go home in their corporate jets with their multi-million dollar salaries. I'll be waiting to see what's next. Will the bankruptcy courts allow them to keep their multi-million dollar salaries while undoing the union contracts?
Now Al-Queida is throwing around racist slurs. What a difference an election makes!
So, besides having a wonderful day at the chipper shredder and getting the beds in the front yard mulched and making 7 logs worth of shitake and oyster mushrooms (knock wood-so to speak), and hearing the arrival of the sandhills (see pervious blog), and Marcia getting better by the day, I can hardly wait to see/hear the evening news. I can hardly wait for Rachel Maddow and Keith Olberman to get back to MSNBC.
Life is Good!
KG
Now Al-Queida is throwing around racist slurs. What a difference an election makes!
So, besides having a wonderful day at the chipper shredder and getting the beds in the front yard mulched and making 7 logs worth of shitake and oyster mushrooms (knock wood-so to speak), and hearing the arrival of the sandhills (see pervious blog), and Marcia getting better by the day, I can hardly wait to see/hear the evening news. I can hardly wait for Rachel Maddow and Keith Olberman to get back to MSNBC.
Life is Good!
KG
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Welcome Back!
It's a cold snap, first frost in many areas and it made for a nice cool day outside for Kay. I just couldn't stay warm in my long sleeves and light jacket and was forced back inside to warm for a while. The late afternoon glof with Stella found us ending up helping Kay finish the mushroom log spore plug insertions. I wore a warmer jacket with hood this time.
I still heard a of trilling birds but didn't quite recognize the significance. I heard it again and pushed my hood back and finally said to Kay "It's the first sandhills!" We could hear them over head but didn't catch a glimpse of any of them. But they were definitely there and we have been waiting and looking for them for several weeks now.
They are a wonderful part of fall here as they will winter all around here and cruise the prairies and wet lands at will. Often we see them at the small ponds chasing bugs and such for breakfast. A large group of 20-30 sometime hang out at a large farm just north of here near Romeo . They seem a little late but we're glad they are here!
mdt
Monday, November 10, 2008
Making progress
Hematomas are in dissapearing mode and I've made great strides in my transition to use of my cane. My rainbow colored ankle is losing some of it's magnificent color scheme. I'm even able to get on the glof mobile to take Stella out for her run again. Things are making obvious improvement. Even the x-rays look great!
It has been a bit different for me this time. My knee flex is already at 93 degrees and has been there since I came home. Kay and I both remarked that it looked like I was about three weeks ahead of where I was for the first knee surgery. "Looking" like more advanced is not reality as I had to get off of my own case as I realized that healing doesn't follow my observations. Tissue and bone still are just barely three weeks along in their healing progress. That healing process will not jump ahead even if the flexion and extension are doing great. Once this info sank in I was a bit kinder to my leg and efforts for patience. Exercise is still my full time job and eating good food that will provide the nutrition I need for healing and exercise is a primary concern.
It's strange that I seem to be hungry all the time. Kay has been great about making sure I have plenty of food at mealtimes and also snacks in between. There are still times that I forget or just get busy and delay eating for some reason. This has some rude consequences at times since I can get into a slump and need to eat quickly so I have the energy to continue my physical activity. It's an odd situation since my ability to eat large meals is compromised by pain meds and the subsequent lack of appetite. It is getting better though and I managed to eat steak and a baked potatoe last night and didn't wake up hungry at 4:30 am for my usual granola bar snack. I really slept much better for the first time in several weeks. Maybe I'm starting to turn the corner... time will tell.
It has been a bit different for me this time. My knee flex is already at 93 degrees and has been there since I came home. Kay and I both remarked that it looked like I was about three weeks ahead of where I was for the first knee surgery. "Looking" like more advanced is not reality as I had to get off of my own case as I realized that healing doesn't follow my observations. Tissue and bone still are just barely three weeks along in their healing progress. That healing process will not jump ahead even if the flexion and extension are doing great. Once this info sank in I was a bit kinder to my leg and efforts for patience. Exercise is still my full time job and eating good food that will provide the nutrition I need for healing and exercise is a primary concern.
It's strange that I seem to be hungry all the time. Kay has been great about making sure I have plenty of food at mealtimes and also snacks in between. There are still times that I forget or just get busy and delay eating for some reason. This has some rude consequences at times since I can get into a slump and need to eat quickly so I have the energy to continue my physical activity. It's an odd situation since my ability to eat large meals is compromised by pain meds and the subsequent lack of appetite. It is getting better though and I managed to eat steak and a baked potatoe last night and didn't wake up hungry at 4:30 am for my usual granola bar snack. I really slept much better for the first time in several weeks. Maybe I'm starting to turn the corner... time will tell.
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Yes We Did!!!!
Probably the first change is that the east coast is waking up sleep deprived. I can only hope most people are as happy as we are.
From my 3.5 hour experience as poll observer, I can report that voting makes people feel happy. Really happy. Some seem to really enjoy how the little machine swallows their paper ballot and digitally reads out the number of people who have voted that day. But the looks on their faces when they leave the polling place are generally animated. First time voters are particularly pleased with themselves. Since I have no other election with which to compare, I cannot comment on whether the candidate (s) had any effect on people's joy in casting their vote.
Our little precinct was particularly well run. Doris and her staff have been doing this for 10 years or more and have it down. There were no provisional ballots cast all day. When I asked about them, Doris's response indicated her understanding that provisional ballots are not good. Several voters brought in their absentee ballots that they had not mailed, and those were duly cancelled and the voter given a ballot. There were also several challenges-not voter challenges, but obstacles for the poll staff. A visually impaired person with assistance dog used the special machine to help her vote. It has visual and auditory feedback so the voter can have privacy. An emotionally challenged young man came in with his grandmother, and had a small two year old type meltdown about signing the affidavit that allows him to assist his grandmother. He was about 6ft 2in, and Doris about 4ft 6in. She was calm, tried to reason, and knew when to back down and use the cellphone. The local police were quite familiar with him, and fairly easily talked him into signing the form. Voting got accomplished and he apologized to everyone and everyone was gracious.
There were lots of children on my 3-7pm shift, and they were as excited as their parents about voting. They all got, "I voted" stickers, which made them really happy. At the beginning of the shift, children and first time voters were given tootsie pops-probably left overs from Halloween. Even the struggling to be sophisticated 18 year olds smiled. Eventually the tootsie pops ran out, so the last first time voter got a round of applause-better than a tootsie pop any day.
There is one thing that I would change about the system. During early voting, a resident of the county could vote at any precinct in the county, but on election day, they had to go to their assigned precinct. This was confusing to many people, and many got turned away albeit with the name and address of their correct polling place in hand. One young single mother with three children had a mini-meltdown because she was sent to her polling place about 10 miles away. There was also some confusion about what county to vote in. Some people have Dunnellon addresses, but actually live in Levy or Citrus counties. Indeed, Citrus county is just over the river that runs through Dunnellon. The county thing cannot be helped-people just have to know which county they live in and which is their precinct. However, if residents of the county can vote at any precinct for early voting, they should be able to do so on election day.
In Florida, as long as you area registered to vote, you can change your address or name at any time. So, there were quite a few voters who had moved-even from one part of the state to here, and they were able to change their addresses with a fill in affidavit. The clerks have state computers that verify registration and show that a person has voted in real time, so that there is not the possibility of voting often.
There were no lines at our little precinct. At most, there were 8 voters and three clerks to serve them. There were no obvious attempts at dirty tricks. Since the ballots were marked by black felt tip pens, and the machine reads them and rejects any that are inappropriately marked, there were no hanging chad issues. Several times the machine rejected a ballot saying that more than one candidate was marked. The voter then proof read the ballot and tried again, and it went through. The last voter finished at about 5 min to 7pm. Apparently a car drove up after the doors were locked, but even the Obama people outside the polling place acknowledged that the digital clock at the store across the street read 7:02. The final tally for the day was just over 400 votes.
Everybody thinks that the poll workers know how the precinct is voting, but they are probably more in the dark than anyone who has access to TV or Internet. One of the county officials did tell us that the stock market was up over 200 points as he was leaving his office for the day. Otherwise, we were in our little world of voting.
The thing that these office of elections women really dreaded was an announcement from the governor's office that voting times would be extended. They had been there at 6am, and it was quite enough. Since we have had early voting since October 20th and really easy to obtain absentee balloting, I was with them about "enough already".
So, what a night of celebration! As one of our friends put it, "Barrack who's-sane Obama will head for the white house!" Yes we can! Yes We Did! Now we will! Time to get down to work!
Oh yes, Marcia got her staples out today!
KG
From my 3.5 hour experience as poll observer, I can report that voting makes people feel happy. Really happy. Some seem to really enjoy how the little machine swallows their paper ballot and digitally reads out the number of people who have voted that day. But the looks on their faces when they leave the polling place are generally animated. First time voters are particularly pleased with themselves. Since I have no other election with which to compare, I cannot comment on whether the candidate (s) had any effect on people's joy in casting their vote.
Our little precinct was particularly well run. Doris and her staff have been doing this for 10 years or more and have it down. There were no provisional ballots cast all day. When I asked about them, Doris's response indicated her understanding that provisional ballots are not good. Several voters brought in their absentee ballots that they had not mailed, and those were duly cancelled and the voter given a ballot. There were also several challenges-not voter challenges, but obstacles for the poll staff. A visually impaired person with assistance dog used the special machine to help her vote. It has visual and auditory feedback so the voter can have privacy. An emotionally challenged young man came in with his grandmother, and had a small two year old type meltdown about signing the affidavit that allows him to assist his grandmother. He was about 6ft 2in, and Doris about 4ft 6in. She was calm, tried to reason, and knew when to back down and use the cellphone. The local police were quite familiar with him, and fairly easily talked him into signing the form. Voting got accomplished and he apologized to everyone and everyone was gracious.
There were lots of children on my 3-7pm shift, and they were as excited as their parents about voting. They all got, "I voted" stickers, which made them really happy. At the beginning of the shift, children and first time voters were given tootsie pops-probably left overs from Halloween. Even the struggling to be sophisticated 18 year olds smiled. Eventually the tootsie pops ran out, so the last first time voter got a round of applause-better than a tootsie pop any day.
There is one thing that I would change about the system. During early voting, a resident of the county could vote at any precinct in the county, but on election day, they had to go to their assigned precinct. This was confusing to many people, and many got turned away albeit with the name and address of their correct polling place in hand. One young single mother with three children had a mini-meltdown because she was sent to her polling place about 10 miles away. There was also some confusion about what county to vote in. Some people have Dunnellon addresses, but actually live in Levy or Citrus counties. Indeed, Citrus county is just over the river that runs through Dunnellon. The county thing cannot be helped-people just have to know which county they live in and which is their precinct. However, if residents of the county can vote at any precinct for early voting, they should be able to do so on election day.
In Florida, as long as you area registered to vote, you can change your address or name at any time. So, there were quite a few voters who had moved-even from one part of the state to here, and they were able to change their addresses with a fill in affidavit. The clerks have state computers that verify registration and show that a person has voted in real time, so that there is not the possibility of voting often.
There were no lines at our little precinct. At most, there were 8 voters and three clerks to serve them. There were no obvious attempts at dirty tricks. Since the ballots were marked by black felt tip pens, and the machine reads them and rejects any that are inappropriately marked, there were no hanging chad issues. Several times the machine rejected a ballot saying that more than one candidate was marked. The voter then proof read the ballot and tried again, and it went through. The last voter finished at about 5 min to 7pm. Apparently a car drove up after the doors were locked, but even the Obama people outside the polling place acknowledged that the digital clock at the store across the street read 7:02. The final tally for the day was just over 400 votes.
Everybody thinks that the poll workers know how the precinct is voting, but they are probably more in the dark than anyone who has access to TV or Internet. One of the county officials did tell us that the stock market was up over 200 points as he was leaving his office for the day. Otherwise, we were in our little world of voting.
The thing that these office of elections women really dreaded was an announcement from the governor's office that voting times would be extended. They had been there at 6am, and it was quite enough. Since we have had early voting since October 20th and really easy to obtain absentee balloting, I was with them about "enough already".
So, what a night of celebration! As one of our friends put it, "Barrack who's-sane Obama will head for the white house!" Yes we can! Yes We Did! Now we will! Time to get down to work!
Oh yes, Marcia got her staples out today!
KG
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Till Baby Till!
Ms Marcia is getting better day by day. In spite of her incredible progress compared to last knee replacement, she has still has had a major trauma, and it does take time to make new tissue and get everything in place. So, she gets around fine, but needs to heal. This requires nutrition, ice packs, rest and exercise.
We made a trip to the surgeon on Friday. He took the dressing off and "allowed" her to get in the shower (which she has been getting in since discharge from the hospital thanks to saran wrap). Anyway, good to hear that she is indeed doing well, and it was a good opportunity for me to wear my Obama T-shirt in pubic. Got a good response too. Looks like Florida might just be turning purple!
Marcia is usually the garden tiller, but the job has fallen to me. We bought a new Mantis electric tiller last year, and I am so glad. It is very lightweight and easy to use. We recently had electricity and water extended to the Cronemobile Cathedral, so it is easier to get the raised beds watered, and to get electricity to the tiller. So, after a run to the bunnyfarm for bunny poo (hare do), I set my sights on tillin it in. Two beds done so far!
The bed of speckled butter beans that we had given up on is now bearing. I picked a basketfull the other day, and turned them into Caldo Gallego with the help of some store bought turnip greens. I know the ancestors are rolling around, as I bought the greens seperate from the turnips. Nevertheless, they did the job, and the soup was quite good. Looks like bean soup/stew over cornbread waffles for dinner tomorrow night, and there are quite a few more beans left on the plants for another day-other days maybe even.
In addition to tilling duties, I am the cook. Since I would often prefer to farm or landscape than cook, this has been an adjustment for me. However, for the moment, I am rather enjoying it. Last night, while toting the tiller across the yard, I caught a whiff of the great big basil plant-last hanger on in the raised bed that is earmarked for peas. It didn't take much to convince Marcia and Holly that a pesto pasta dinner would be a good idea. It was actually quite a fine idea, and today I was able to till and fence and plant peas.
Obama and I are on the same page in a number of ways. We are all about setting up infrastructure for the future. Today, I invested in fencing for the raised beds. Not only does it make sense for the peas and beans to grow up, but I'm afraid I'll need to bunny proof the greens. Some of the little plants show evidence of nibbling. Even though we encourage Stella to leave evidence of her existence near the raised beds, we do not have dumb bunnies.
In spite of the results, we are rather relieved to have the World Series behind us. Those late nights were wearing. Maybe another year for those Rays.
However, we are all about this election! Tomorrow I need to study up on my poll observer responsibilities, as Tuesday, I am on the 3-7 shift in Dunnellon. As an observer, my primary responsibilities are as snitch. I can only speak to the clerk, but I can make notes and report to Democratic Party contacts about things that don't look exactly right to me based on my study of the polling regs. My one inservice was presented by two lawyers who looked to me like children. Nevertheless, they presented well and were quite together! If Obama organizes the executive office like he does his campaign, we are in for quite a change-for the better!
Another sign that we are turning purple is that the Ocala Star Banner-Ocala's arm of the NY Times, announced Palin's Ocala rally on page 5. Astounding in this formerly reder than red county. Marion County Republican Executive Committee officer, Lewis Dinkins is quoted as saying about Palin, "The more she is exposed, the more people like her." What was he thinking???
Sooo, that's all the news fit to blog.
KG
We made a trip to the surgeon on Friday. He took the dressing off and "allowed" her to get in the shower (which she has been getting in since discharge from the hospital thanks to saran wrap). Anyway, good to hear that she is indeed doing well, and it was a good opportunity for me to wear my Obama T-shirt in pubic. Got a good response too. Looks like Florida might just be turning purple!
Marcia is usually the garden tiller, but the job has fallen to me. We bought a new Mantis electric tiller last year, and I am so glad. It is very lightweight and easy to use. We recently had electricity and water extended to the Cronemobile Cathedral, so it is easier to get the raised beds watered, and to get electricity to the tiller. So, after a run to the bunnyfarm for bunny poo (hare do), I set my sights on tillin it in. Two beds done so far!
The bed of speckled butter beans that we had given up on is now bearing. I picked a basketfull the other day, and turned them into Caldo Gallego with the help of some store bought turnip greens. I know the ancestors are rolling around, as I bought the greens seperate from the turnips. Nevertheless, they did the job, and the soup was quite good. Looks like bean soup/stew over cornbread waffles for dinner tomorrow night, and there are quite a few more beans left on the plants for another day-other days maybe even.
In addition to tilling duties, I am the cook. Since I would often prefer to farm or landscape than cook, this has been an adjustment for me. However, for the moment, I am rather enjoying it. Last night, while toting the tiller across the yard, I caught a whiff of the great big basil plant-last hanger on in the raised bed that is earmarked for peas. It didn't take much to convince Marcia and Holly that a pesto pasta dinner would be a good idea. It was actually quite a fine idea, and today I was able to till and fence and plant peas.
Obama and I are on the same page in a number of ways. We are all about setting up infrastructure for the future. Today, I invested in fencing for the raised beds. Not only does it make sense for the peas and beans to grow up, but I'm afraid I'll need to bunny proof the greens. Some of the little plants show evidence of nibbling. Even though we encourage Stella to leave evidence of her existence near the raised beds, we do not have dumb bunnies.
In spite of the results, we are rather relieved to have the World Series behind us. Those late nights were wearing. Maybe another year for those Rays.
However, we are all about this election! Tomorrow I need to study up on my poll observer responsibilities, as Tuesday, I am on the 3-7 shift in Dunnellon. As an observer, my primary responsibilities are as snitch. I can only speak to the clerk, but I can make notes and report to Democratic Party contacts about things that don't look exactly right to me based on my study of the polling regs. My one inservice was presented by two lawyers who looked to me like children. Nevertheless, they presented well and were quite together! If Obama organizes the executive office like he does his campaign, we are in for quite a change-for the better!
Another sign that we are turning purple is that the Ocala Star Banner-Ocala's arm of the NY Times, announced Palin's Ocala rally on page 5. Astounding in this formerly reder than red county. Marion County Republican Executive Committee officer, Lewis Dinkins is quoted as saying about Palin, "The more she is exposed, the more people like her." What was he thinking???
Sooo, that's all the news fit to blog.
KG
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Marcia's Knee Replacement #2 Day 4
Sorry I missed day 3, but I'll catch you up.
Yesterday, I found her disconnected from tubing and wearing her own clothes. She had requested her walker from home. I arrived with it just before PT came in, and she put it to good use getting to the bathroom on her own.
If you know Marcia, you know she is not a "show-off", but then you might not have seen her with a brand new knee and PT audience. There was a demo on how to use the walker instead of the dreaded leg motion machine. This was followed by a loooooooooooong walk down to the nurses station and back-a sort of walking inservice. This was followed by, "NO, I don't want to get back in the bed! I have more sitting up exercises to do!"
Today was indeed, discharge day. I found her dressed in long pants-a feat unthinkible after the April surgery. We did the usual wait for wheelchair escort. Getting in the KIA was only slightly challenging compared with last time, and she sat in the front seat, since she already has 90 degrees with her left leg.
On arrival at the house, there was no parking just outside the bathroom door and calling on friends for assistance to get in. NOOOOOOOOO!!!! There was walker assisted walking from the car to the computer chair. Many of you know how long that walk is, and there is the carport step to navigate as well. No problem.
I had trapped Stella in the kitchen so Marcia could get seated for the reunion. What a happy reunion it was. Just one little rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr of complaint about her absence, and lots of twirling with joy.
After an email check, she headed for the bed. There was a bit of settling in, and a nanosecond later she was fast asleep. There's no place like home!
She is now up and about at will-kinda like she was about 10 days post surgery with the right knee. She gets the warp speed award of the day!
KG
Yesterday, I found her disconnected from tubing and wearing her own clothes. She had requested her walker from home. I arrived with it just before PT came in, and she put it to good use getting to the bathroom on her own.
If you know Marcia, you know she is not a "show-off", but then you might not have seen her with a brand new knee and PT audience. There was a demo on how to use the walker instead of the dreaded leg motion machine. This was followed by a loooooooooooong walk down to the nurses station and back-a sort of walking inservice. This was followed by, "NO, I don't want to get back in the bed! I have more sitting up exercises to do!"
Today was indeed, discharge day. I found her dressed in long pants-a feat unthinkible after the April surgery. We did the usual wait for wheelchair escort. Getting in the KIA was only slightly challenging compared with last time, and she sat in the front seat, since she already has 90 degrees with her left leg.
On arrival at the house, there was no parking just outside the bathroom door and calling on friends for assistance to get in. NOOOOOOOOO!!!! There was walker assisted walking from the car to the computer chair. Many of you know how long that walk is, and there is the carport step to navigate as well. No problem.
I had trapped Stella in the kitchen so Marcia could get seated for the reunion. What a happy reunion it was. Just one little rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr of complaint about her absence, and lots of twirling with joy.
After an email check, she headed for the bed. There was a bit of settling in, and a nanosecond later she was fast asleep. There's no place like home!
She is now up and about at will-kinda like she was about 10 days post surgery with the right knee. She gets the warp speed award of the day!
KG
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Marcia's Knee Replacement #2, Day 2
Kay's assessment: She is looking 24-36 hours better than she did on the last knee. I'm not sure if this is due to the different anesthesia, the better knee, or practice effect. Who knows? Who cares why? It really is good to see her do so well.
She was sitting up when I arrived today. PT had been there and gotten her up. She had a rather regal look about her-quite pleased to be sitting! By the time PT came back to help her walk and get back into bed, she was ready to have a little stroll across the room (long wise). When she started to feel sweaty, it was time to head for the bed. Getting back in bed involved something like a circus set up with two PT's untangling various cords and tubes and machines and containers in order for her to get back into bed. Then there was getting her back on the leg motion machine that I was surprised to still see in the room. By the time she got setteled back in the bed, she was glad to be there.
My glowing accounts of the new anesthesia proceedure in the last blog is clearly the account of the person on the outside of the surgery. Marcia reports that the pain relief was insufficient, so they had to give her oral Vicodin. Apparently this worked, as she reported a pain level of 3 (on a 1-10 scale) post walk. That's pretty good!
Shortly after the resettlement, the leg motion machine gave out, so she got some respite till they found a new machine. I swear she did not break it on purpose. Apparently the new one has a much better comfort level.
The staff has been very good and very pleasant.
Stella had a great Glof, and nearly successful squirrel hunt. She looks forward to this squirrel hunt. After a little running around and getting business done, she is ready to get on the Glof for a good squirrel stalk. I take off her collar and leash so she can really give chase. We rode around awhile before really spotting one. This particular squirrel had found a really good cone and was carrying it away when Stella spotted him/her. S/he tried to run with the cone, and was doing quite well, but not well enough, as Stella was gaining on him/her. So, down went the cone and the squirrel went into hyper-warp, and made it to the nearest tree by a hair. Stella was so pleased with herself.
I hate to think of what will happen if Stella ever has a catch. I can imagine that it will ruin the whole game. However, for now, it is great sport!
Speaking of great sport, those Rays are providing it. Last night, I found myself using the Griff (my Dad) method of watching baseball. You close your eyes and fall into light sleep, but jerk awake when the crowd roars. Using this method, I made it to the last out, though it was something of a disappointment. Maybe better tonight. Better go turn on the TV.
KG
She was sitting up when I arrived today. PT had been there and gotten her up. She had a rather regal look about her-quite pleased to be sitting! By the time PT came back to help her walk and get back into bed, she was ready to have a little stroll across the room (long wise). When she started to feel sweaty, it was time to head for the bed. Getting back in bed involved something like a circus set up with two PT's untangling various cords and tubes and machines and containers in order for her to get back into bed. Then there was getting her back on the leg motion machine that I was surprised to still see in the room. By the time she got setteled back in the bed, she was glad to be there.
My glowing accounts of the new anesthesia proceedure in the last blog is clearly the account of the person on the outside of the surgery. Marcia reports that the pain relief was insufficient, so they had to give her oral Vicodin. Apparently this worked, as she reported a pain level of 3 (on a 1-10 scale) post walk. That's pretty good!
Shortly after the resettlement, the leg motion machine gave out, so she got some respite till they found a new machine. I swear she did not break it on purpose. Apparently the new one has a much better comfort level.
The staff has been very good and very pleasant.
Stella had a great Glof, and nearly successful squirrel hunt. She looks forward to this squirrel hunt. After a little running around and getting business done, she is ready to get on the Glof for a good squirrel stalk. I take off her collar and leash so she can really give chase. We rode around awhile before really spotting one. This particular squirrel had found a really good cone and was carrying it away when Stella spotted him/her. S/he tried to run with the cone, and was doing quite well, but not well enough, as Stella was gaining on him/her. So, down went the cone and the squirrel went into hyper-warp, and made it to the nearest tree by a hair. Stella was so pleased with herself.
I hate to think of what will happen if Stella ever has a catch. I can imagine that it will ruin the whole game. However, for now, it is great sport!
Speaking of great sport, those Rays are providing it. Last night, I found myself using the Griff (my Dad) method of watching baseball. You close your eyes and fall into light sleep, but jerk awake when the crowd roars. Using this method, I made it to the last out, though it was something of a disappointment. Maybe better tonight. Better go turn on the TV.
KG
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Marcia's Knee Replacement #2 Day 1
4 am is very early!!!
Everything went very well. The anesthesiologist wanted to do a new technique that they have been using (apparently since our last visit in October). Instead of an epidural, which effects both legs, they use an anesthesia on the nerve in the leg to be done. The results were amazing. She was more awake and aware when she went up to the room post surgery, and totally cleared sooner than Knee Replacement #1. She does have a pain pump, but hasn't needed to dose herself. However, tomorrow is "get up" day, so I expect that pump to come in handy.
She is on the second floor in the Ob/Gyn unit. The nurse advised that if she hears baby cries, she is not halucinating. So far, this is a private room-knock wood. There are also lots of nice chairs.
Those of you who live in Floirda, make a note to self. Have elective surgery before the snowbirds arrive. There are plenty of rooms and the hospital staff are so glad to see you!
So, by afternoon, she was wiggling around in the bed and by now is probably ready to throw that leg motion machine out the window. They did not make those machines to fit Marcia's legs, so they rub in the wrong places. As soon as she can, she will do her exercises the way her PT showed her-with her walker. She did make a deal with the Doc to use the leg motion machine until the staples are out. We will see how that promise fares.
I was able to distract Stella with a long Glof as soon as I got home, and followed it up with her dinner. I don't fool myself that I have fooled her, but I did take some of the pouty energy away. She is currently resting near me-facing the door. I'll have to come up with another trick tomorrow night-maybe back to the Glof followed by ground beef in dry food. Ideally, Marcia will come home Friday and there will be a glorious reunion before I have to start buying the really expensive cuts.
I will try to catch some of game #1 of the series tonight. We are very excited about the Rays and hope they win! The playoff games had us rivited to the screen. I cannot promise "rivited" tonight, as I have already put in my 15 hours on 5 hours of sleep, but I am pretty sure I can make it through the first inning.
KG
Everything went very well. The anesthesiologist wanted to do a new technique that they have been using (apparently since our last visit in October). Instead of an epidural, which effects both legs, they use an anesthesia on the nerve in the leg to be done. The results were amazing. She was more awake and aware when she went up to the room post surgery, and totally cleared sooner than Knee Replacement #1. She does have a pain pump, but hasn't needed to dose herself. However, tomorrow is "get up" day, so I expect that pump to come in handy.
She is on the second floor in the Ob/Gyn unit. The nurse advised that if she hears baby cries, she is not halucinating. So far, this is a private room-knock wood. There are also lots of nice chairs.
Those of you who live in Floirda, make a note to self. Have elective surgery before the snowbirds arrive. There are plenty of rooms and the hospital staff are so glad to see you!
So, by afternoon, she was wiggling around in the bed and by now is probably ready to throw that leg motion machine out the window. They did not make those machines to fit Marcia's legs, so they rub in the wrong places. As soon as she can, she will do her exercises the way her PT showed her-with her walker. She did make a deal with the Doc to use the leg motion machine until the staples are out. We will see how that promise fares.
I was able to distract Stella with a long Glof as soon as I got home, and followed it up with her dinner. I don't fool myself that I have fooled her, but I did take some of the pouty energy away. She is currently resting near me-facing the door. I'll have to come up with another trick tomorrow night-maybe back to the Glof followed by ground beef in dry food. Ideally, Marcia will come home Friday and there will be a glorious reunion before I have to start buying the really expensive cuts.
I will try to catch some of game #1 of the series tonight. We are very excited about the Rays and hope they win! The playoff games had us rivited to the screen. I cannot promise "rivited" tonight, as I have already put in my 15 hours on 5 hours of sleep, but I am pretty sure I can make it through the first inning.
KG
Monday, October 06, 2008
Genealogy and the "Oh, My Lard!" Buffet
We are back from our trip to Madison (Florida) with smiles on our faces. It was good to be out and about in the Cronemobile and gathering ideas and inspiration for finding the ancestors.
When we pulled into the Yogi Bear Campground on the Old St Augustine Road (the road where Uncle Amon lived when he was writing his journal). I asked the manager if there were any "Southern Cooking" restaurants in the area. She was almost apologetic, saying that they only served lunch most days, but they were open Friday and Saturday night. Since we are clearly people who do not miss many meals, and we did plan to stay the weekend, this seemed fine to me.
The Yogi was not crowded, but there were indications that it sometimes does get that way. There was a little lake and lots of swimming features including a 60' slide. There were flyers for the gospel sing weekends, and a sports field complete with bleachers. We were just as glad that it was sparsly populated.
The library, however, was rather full. Probably 30 people or more, all about our age or older, diligently consulting Elmer's collection for their kin. At 6:30, the presentation on Georgia research facilities began. Because I do have some family from Georgia, I though I might learn a thing or two. As it turns out, the little libraries and the big archives are not just for Georgians, and there is a wealth of stuff. Good news! Most of them are in south Georgia too, so the Cronemobile won't have far to go.
So, we had late dinner, early breakfast at Denny's on the other side of I-10 from the Yogi, and called it a night. Or tried to, anyway. First night out is always challenging for sleeping, as everything is new and different, and acorns fall on the RV and spook Stella. We did our best.
Friday our plan was to do my usual leisurley get up and coffee, head over to O'Tooles Herb Farm, have lunch, and go to Elmer's for research till presentation time. We managed to get to O'Tooles by noon, and "B", the owner and possibly cousin, was having lunch with friends. We did get to check out the mushroom growing set up, and I believe we have just the place for growing our own, not to mention plenty of logs.
Finding O'Neal's (Oh, My Lard Buffet) was not hard. It is in the old A&W on US90, but the real give away is that every car in three counties is parked there for lunch-really, truthfully-dinner. We though we might have to wait for a seat, but not so. Every inch of space had been well used, and there is a porch with substantial concrete and tile tables in case the house fills up. The protocol is to grab a plate from on top of the buffet and fill it up. We went for the fried catfish strips-done the right way in corn meal and fried till they curl up upon themselves. I got a little bowl of mustard greens and another little bowl of creamed corn and a hushpuppy. One was enough, as they were bigger than golf balls. You find your table. Utinsels are up with the plates, but napkins and pepper sauces are on the table.
A word here about pepper sauce, for those that need it. There is the red kind like Tobasco. That's for the catfish or whatever else you want hot (picante). The peppers are liquefied with vinegar. Then there is the jar with the little peppers about an inch long or less. They might be red and they might be green. The jar has a flip top uncovering a little spout for shaking out the pepper juice. Boiling vinegar is poured on top of these little peppers, and they are allowed to sit. Da mo it sit, da hotta it git! is the idea. This you shake on your greens. Now you know.
When you sit down at the table, the waitress comes to ask you what you want to drink. 4 choices: sweet tea (hold onto your fillins as it WILL be sweet), unsweet tea, lemonade (purtty sweet), and water. Your choice will come in a plastic glass that almost requires two hands to manage. I recommend using two hands, as the glasses will be sweaty and your hands will be greasy. The waitress brings these glasses in a wire container sorta like the ones the door to door milk delivery man used to use.
Now you can eat. Over the course of two days, we managed 4 meals at O'Neals. And what a wonderful time we had. Among the menu items that transported us to nirvana were: fried chicken, catfish, lima beans, pole beans, a bucket of creamed corn, okra and tomatoes that would make you disrespect your grandma, purtty good cole slaw, and just right banana puddin.
Midday dinner is the time to see everyone, and to see the changes in Southern culture. When you travel through time, like we genealogists do, it becomes really apparent about some changes at the "Oh, My Lard" Buffets and Cafes. To our left was the sheriff deputy table. Their cars were parked within sight and at the end of the road by the street, where they could take off right away if necessary. These are the guys who need not worry about using both hands on the iced tea glasses. One hand covers it all. On our right, and in the far corner of our little room, Spanish was spoken-probably Mexican Spanish. Behind us was an African American man eating alone. He spoke to us, first, and made eye contact, and he was a bit older than we are. The cooks and buffet refillers and beverage servers were black, white and brown. The till was personed by whites; probably the O'Neals. Our dining room was "decorated" with photos of Native Americans. The ancestors we are reading about made war against them, so it is safe to romanticize them now. Otherwise, we all eat together now, cept those who want to take their dinner out. Dinner was $7.50, and take out would have been $3.50 (no drink included). Our supper take out was $7.50, but it was the seafood buffet and I got the boiled shrimp (Old Bay seasoning) and a stuffed crab (in addition to my catfish). Sit down supper was $11.50.
Friday night's presentation (of genealogy, not food) was in the Madison County Courthouse.
The original county seat was located at San Pedro, a now-vanished wayside on the historic Bellamy Road connecting St. Augustine and Pensacola. The structure was built of logs, but the site was later abandoned as it was in a low, wet area and suffered frequent malaria outbreaks. In response to the unhealthy conditions of the original county seat, Madison was founded on a hill surrounded by a ring of lakes. Originally this was known both as Newton and Hicksville, the latter for a Seminole chief with the anglicized name John Hicks. The first courthouse was constructed by Adoniram Vann in 1840. Early settlers also attended court in Monticello, Jefferson County. The first Madison courthouse burned in 1876 and was replaced by one built in 1880 of brick. This building burned as well, in 1912, and was replaced in 1913 by the present courthouse which remains in its original configuration with no attaching annex.
http://www.jud10.org/Courthouses/Madison/madison.htmThe courthouse is a lovely old building, and they are working to make it even lovlier. As a matter of fact, we might have wished they were not working so hard on Saturday, as the zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz made it a bit difficult to hear the speaker. They are planning to replace the old tile roof, which hasn't been seen since about 1930, with new tiles in the next few months. We'll be headed back to see that, I am sure.
Saturday's speaker was knowledgable and entertaining. John Colletta has published several books, and we will be reading them. His best stories are of his trips to Europe in search of German, French, and Italian ancestors. He gave us ideas about places to search that we had not thought of, and preped us for our trip to the UK and Ireland this summer.
So, we packed up on Sunday. The book on Madison County Families that Elmer gave each of us, along with the tote bag it came in; Marcia's new cane pole (fishing) that is just short of 15 feet long; web sites and email addresses, and maybe even a local cousin or two that we did not know before all safely transported home via Cronemobile.
Can't wait for a good cemetery stomp this winter!
KG
Friday, September 26, 2008
Signs That the Summer is Almost Over
While our friends in the northcountry are sending their shorts and sandals to the back of the closet and bringing out the fleece, we are headed out doors. The other day I even went out in the early afternoon, though I leave the heavy sweat producing work for after 4pm. Yesterday, I had my way with more of the 3ft. high weeds with the help of my DR trimmer. There are still quite a few weeds for us to tackle and then, when it is truly cool, the chipper shredder and I will tackle that yard trash mountain. Mulch, mulch, mulch!
Amazingly, I sat on the dock last evening and didn't get one mosquito bite. I had sprayed with Cutters, but a few weeks ago, those stingers would be looking for and finding the only square 1/2 inch of unCuttered flesh to have their way with. It wasn't even breezy last night. It's not like they are completely gone. Stir up some damp mulch and watch the mosquito clouds emerge.
Another sign is that Marcia asked me to go kayaking in the early afternoon. The summer sun is not her friend, but as it begins to back off a bit, we are out in the river.
Conferences are happening. People are ready to get back to more serious endeavors. I began my CEU collection with a one day conference in Tampa this week. Next week we will head for Madison, Florida for a genealogy conference-alas, no CEU's. Ideally we will be learning more tricks for ferreting out the ancestors from various records here and overseas.
In addition to the genealogy conference, we will be visiting O'Toole's Herb farm in hopes of learning how to start our edible mushroom garden. We seem to be quite proficient in growing an amazing variety of wild fungi with no apparent effort, so we thought we might be able to grow edible ones as well. Perhaps we can make Shitake happen!
An added benefit of going to the herb garden might be finding another cousin. I read their web site and discovered that "B", the owner, is descended from Madison settlers from the 1840's. Since many of these early settlers married each other, there being few families and many children, it seems quite possible we could be related.
On the international front, we have secured two house exchanges for summer 2009, and are talking with a family about a third. July 23-August 6, 2009, we will exchange with the Potts family of West Sussex, UK-just outside of Chichester. This will be a direct exchange, with them coming here at the same time as we are in their house. I am having a good time imagining their two children, aged 10 and 8 enjoying the river. They are excited about having Stella as well.
This past week, we arranged a non-simultaneous exchange with a retired couple from Dublin. We will stay, for three weeks, in their second home on the southeast coast of Ireland-Castleton, County Wexford. They will be staying at our house in February and March of 2010. We will find a nice place to park the Cronemobile while they are here.
Our possible third exchange would be for a month-June 2009 in County Mayo near Ballaghadereen, Ireland. We need a little more information about this exchange, as they have not posted photos or a map location of their exchange home. They also have a home near Dublin, so we will see what they offer.
Our usual house sitters seem quite ready to have some time at the river. They may actually be feeling deprived since we have been here all this summer. Our leaving the country seems to work out for all of us. We think that even Stella enjoys having a change of "sheep".
Speaking of Stella, she just had her 6th birthday. She got a pigs ear, and has been carrying it around for everybody to admire (but don't touch). My theory is that Stella lives like every day is her birthday, and we adore her for that.
And, last but not least, the morning glories are willing to blossom out now that they are not baking both day and night. They make me think that every day is my birthday too.
KG
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Queuing in the Atlantic
Like a loaded shotgun, they are lining up-spinning off from Africa and winding their way to-well-who knows where, but it seems to us very likely they are aimed towards us. Our Governor has us on alert, so it must seem like that to his advisers as well.
If you were, like me, looking at the river you would see that it is mirror like with a light haze. Stella and Marcia drive by on the Glof. Stella balks at going out, and I notice that she has the leash in her mouth, a sign of her resistance. Nobody wants to go out in the heat and humidity with a cloud of hungry mosquitoes buzzing around you. It's quite lovely as long as you are sitting indoors in the AC.
These are our worst of times, weather wise, and yet, our cousins from across the pond (I might have been doing tooooo much ancestry) have requested a house exchange for August 2009. We have arranged a house exchange with the Potts family of West Sussex, UK-just south east of Chichester. We have discussed our heat, humidity, and hurricanes with them, and they are still game. We will be looking for another exchange or two so we can stay for longer, but what a good start! I'm practicing my British English here on the blog!
So, time to gather up our histories of Britain for reading so we have a clue when we are checking out the ruins and cathedrals and castles, and let the storms blow where they may.
KG
Saturday, August 30, 2008
The Outer Bands of Gustav
Friday is my usual day for filling the bird feeders, but I missed it yesterday as we took the KIA in for service. So, I was headed out there today with a full bucket of seed when I passed by the TV and noticed that the bands of rain passing from east to west over the state looked remarkably like the outer bands of a hurricane. Further checking on www.weather.com confirmed that, though Gustav is hundreds of miles away, the outer bands are passing over us now. Because Fay soaked us good, it will take very little water to raise the St. Johns river to flood stage, and warnings are out to secure things close to the river.
Meanwhile, Gustav is just getting to prime rev-up zone in the Gulf, and already is a Cat 4. That is to say, Gustav has moved beyond the "just fooling around" stage and gotten serious. We are not convinced that it will reach New Orleans, but we are glad to see they are preparing. One little twist, and Mr. Gustav could be at our doorstep.
So, I just took that bucket of seed back inside, and will consider bringing in the hummingbird feeders soon. Meanwhile, the kayaks and floaters and boaters continue to enjoy the river-occasional breeze and shower notwithstanding. Scent of grilled chicken has been breezing by since this morning. These are more signs that the river will soon revert back to a more peaceful home for us and other river critters. Happy Labor Day!
Marcia has just returned from the grocery. We are well supplied with food, batteries and LP gas. Still in wait and watch mode.
KG
Meanwhile, Gustav is just getting to prime rev-up zone in the Gulf, and already is a Cat 4. That is to say, Gustav has moved beyond the "just fooling around" stage and gotten serious. We are not convinced that it will reach New Orleans, but we are glad to see they are preparing. One little twist, and Mr. Gustav could be at our doorstep.
So, I just took that bucket of seed back inside, and will consider bringing in the hummingbird feeders soon. Meanwhile, the kayaks and floaters and boaters continue to enjoy the river-occasional breeze and shower notwithstanding. Scent of grilled chicken has been breezing by since this morning. These are more signs that the river will soon revert back to a more peaceful home for us and other river critters. Happy Labor Day!
Marcia has just returned from the grocery. We are well supplied with food, batteries and LP gas. Still in wait and watch mode.
KG
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Uh-Oh!
Here was the plan, as we discussed it (perhaps a bit too smugly) at the beginning of the summer. If a serious hurricane is approaching, we will just get in that Chronemobile and get the "Dodge out of Hell".
Current question: which is the way out of Hell?!
We just watched Fay wander across the state making landfall 4 times, and causing flooding from south Florida to....still going on.... We are not inspired by current meteorological predictive abilities. In addition, the house and generator seems so much more stable than the Chronemobile.
Plan B is to keep watching and remain flexable.
The convention seems to be going well-knock wood. It would be so lovely to have a real President.
KG
Monday, August 25, 2008
Hurricane Season
Fay has gone and Gustav is on the way. I put the hummingbird and bird seed feeders out again, but it just doesn't seem prudent to put the porch back in order again. At least not until Sec Sat, and even then, maybe just the rockers in place.
However, hurricane season signals the end of summer and the beginning of fall. It's not like it isn't hot and the mosquitoes are certainly in full force. It's just that something goes, click, and we know that summer is time limited. I wouldn't go out without long sleeves and long pants and a mosquito repellant of some kind or another, but, I'm going out.
I called Bob, the lawn mowing man/crew on Friday as Fay was passing through. It was his usual day to mow, but forget that. So, I anticipated his arrival any day, but there was this patina of tree trash all over the yard, so mowing would not be able to happen without clean-up. So, this morning, while I was sleeping, Bob's crew showed up and Marcia directed them in clean-up with help from the butt buggy, and I woke up to some serious mowing going on.
This was so inspiring, that I dressed out and headed for the herb garden for some serious weeding. That done, and the butt buggy filled with even more yard debris, I continued on to the coleus. Fay had done some initial pruning, so I just finished her job. The dining room table is ful of vases of coleus cuttings. Who knows what will become of them. Please feel free to have some if you are in the neighborhood. I just cannot stand to throw all of them out.
So, fall is coming. There will certainly be plenty to do when it does. However, this week we discovered that the neighbors had been working on the roadway and indeed, cleared away the noxious growth, leaving the lovely Queen Palm. They even took the fence. So, the major task of winter has been removed, and I have only to clear my own yard trash, a rather daunting task in itself. I'll be plotting what things need to be planted along the roadside soon. I actually have a few loquat and crepe myrtles in the nursery waiting to be put in the ground.
So, almost as exciting as the Democratic Convention, which I need to go see right now. More hurricane coverage later.
KG
However, hurricane season signals the end of summer and the beginning of fall. It's not like it isn't hot and the mosquitoes are certainly in full force. It's just that something goes, click, and we know that summer is time limited. I wouldn't go out without long sleeves and long pants and a mosquito repellant of some kind or another, but, I'm going out.
I called Bob, the lawn mowing man/crew on Friday as Fay was passing through. It was his usual day to mow, but forget that. So, I anticipated his arrival any day, but there was this patina of tree trash all over the yard, so mowing would not be able to happen without clean-up. So, this morning, while I was sleeping, Bob's crew showed up and Marcia directed them in clean-up with help from the butt buggy, and I woke up to some serious mowing going on.
This was so inspiring, that I dressed out and headed for the herb garden for some serious weeding. That done, and the butt buggy filled with even more yard debris, I continued on to the coleus. Fay had done some initial pruning, so I just finished her job. The dining room table is ful of vases of coleus cuttings. Who knows what will become of them. Please feel free to have some if you are in the neighborhood. I just cannot stand to throw all of them out.
So, fall is coming. There will certainly be plenty to do when it does. However, this week we discovered that the neighbors had been working on the roadway and indeed, cleared away the noxious growth, leaving the lovely Queen Palm. They even took the fence. So, the major task of winter has been removed, and I have only to clear my own yard trash, a rather daunting task in itself. I'll be plotting what things need to be planted along the roadside soon. I actually have a few loquat and crepe myrtles in the nursery waiting to be put in the ground.
So, almost as exciting as the Democratic Convention, which I need to go see right now. More hurricane coverage later.
KG
Friday, August 22, 2008
More Fay
She seems to be headed west. We are getting the southern bands of rain now-south westerly winds, when there is a gust. Just rain and rain and more rain.
When the power did go off today, our trusty generator proved not so trusty. We were without power for several hours waiting for phone calls to be returned and for the service guys to get here. Seems the battery was the culprit and in no time they had it fixed. Our generator guy should have serviced it, but, not done. Maybe we will get these two guys to be our generator service guys.
So, now we have limited power. The fans and computers and TV work, but no cable. We have some power in the kitchen-can plug in little appliances. No hot water, but the refrig and ice maker are working, and, most blessedly, the well pump. As soon as the power was on and I was able to get my computer online, I checked the weather map, saw that there was a break in the clouds, and made a dash into town for my scripts. So far the house temps are comfortable. The rain has lowered the outside temps, and it will soon be dark. Let's hope the power is on tomorrow.
The roads are clear of large limbs, but our driveway is carpeted with spanish moss and other small tree debris. There is a medium sized oak that has begun to list. I will be surprised if it hangs on. It doesn't threaten anything. It might be just the wood we need for our new shitake growing endeavor. There is the top of an oak on the backyard berm. Looks from here like it will be an easy cleanup. Other than that, the yards are liberally littered with tree debris. If you saw how many palm fronds are on the ground, you would be surprised that the palms are not naked, but they have plenty of reserve. Looks like the butt buggy and I will be pretty busy when it stops raining.
I didn't see any real property damage on my trip to town, but I saw a few downed trees. One of these is across the railroad tracks.
We also have the remnants of some little bug that has settled in our lungs. Aside from needing to rally to get the generator going, we have few demands on our punky selves, so reading and computing and eating and sleeping with occasional forays outside to see what there is to see seems fine for now. I recommend those headlamp flashlights. Great for reading in the dark.
Looks like Fay is swinging out of our way, and on to the panhandle. We hear that Aunt Alva has a good supply of bananas and milk and branflakes, so we will not worry.
KG
When the power did go off today, our trusty generator proved not so trusty. We were without power for several hours waiting for phone calls to be returned and for the service guys to get here. Seems the battery was the culprit and in no time they had it fixed. Our generator guy should have serviced it, but, not done. Maybe we will get these two guys to be our generator service guys.
So, now we have limited power. The fans and computers and TV work, but no cable. We have some power in the kitchen-can plug in little appliances. No hot water, but the refrig and ice maker are working, and, most blessedly, the well pump. As soon as the power was on and I was able to get my computer online, I checked the weather map, saw that there was a break in the clouds, and made a dash into town for my scripts. So far the house temps are comfortable. The rain has lowered the outside temps, and it will soon be dark. Let's hope the power is on tomorrow.
The roads are clear of large limbs, but our driveway is carpeted with spanish moss and other small tree debris. There is a medium sized oak that has begun to list. I will be surprised if it hangs on. It doesn't threaten anything. It might be just the wood we need for our new shitake growing endeavor. There is the top of an oak on the backyard berm. Looks from here like it will be an easy cleanup. Other than that, the yards are liberally littered with tree debris. If you saw how many palm fronds are on the ground, you would be surprised that the palms are not naked, but they have plenty of reserve. Looks like the butt buggy and I will be pretty busy when it stops raining.
I didn't see any real property damage on my trip to town, but I saw a few downed trees. One of these is across the railroad tracks.
We also have the remnants of some little bug that has settled in our lungs. Aside from needing to rally to get the generator going, we have few demands on our punky selves, so reading and computing and eating and sleeping with occasional forays outside to see what there is to see seems fine for now. I recommend those headlamp flashlights. Great for reading in the dark.
Looks like Fay is swinging out of our way, and on to the panhandle. We hear that Aunt Alva has a good supply of bananas and milk and branflakes, so we will not worry.
KG
Thursday, August 21, 2008
The Way of Fay
She is slow. It's not like she is very strong, but she just sits on you. We have been getting rain for several days. Not the usual daily summer rain, but overcast with off and on gentle showers-occasionally a breeze. Yesterday, we got a little wind from the east, making the river look like it was flowing the wrong way. The yard was littered with the occasional palm frond or bunch of Spanish moss.
It's picking up now. The wind started coming from the west this morning, and the river's flow was obvious and fast. By late this afternoon, it was steady rain, and now there are winds. The river occasionally looks just short of surfable. It undulates with the wind. The yard is filling up with tree debris.
These old oaks can soak up just so much water before they let their limbs loose. This is the part that Stella hates worst. I have heard a couple of thuds, but haven't yet found a big limb near the house. Of course, Stella can hear from quite far away, so she tries and tries to tell us that we should crawl under the desk or something like it. She and I had a little glof before it started to rain in ernest. It was a great time to pinch the coleus blossoms off, as there was enough of a breeze to keep most of the mosquitoes at bay. Even though she was off leash, she stayed close to me. Probably was good she got a potty break then, as it might be some time before she gets dry potty time again.
The weather wizards are pretty stumped about predicting this storm. They have been wrong just too many times. So far, we have power and cable. The TV goes off for a few seconds at a time, but no big blackout yet. Those of you who have visited the house know that, though we are down in a hole, there is quite a long way to go to get to the river, and the water would actually prefer to flow to the opposite side of the river from us where there is low land. We do think of the people in Ocala, which quickly fills with water, and in Gainesville where the streets flood.
So, we have several boxes of brownie mix and enough eggs to make them. We have tons of coffee, and enough Lactaid for several days. Lots of Cherrios and keifer. Marcia made a wonderful potato soup and fresh baked bread for dinner, so we are comforted. She had to use up the white box (generic) of shredded wheat, as Stella will only eat the red box kind. Don't even think she is a regular dog.
Perhaps I'll publish before I get a power glip.
KG
It's picking up now. The wind started coming from the west this morning, and the river's flow was obvious and fast. By late this afternoon, it was steady rain, and now there are winds. The river occasionally looks just short of surfable. It undulates with the wind. The yard is filling up with tree debris.
These old oaks can soak up just so much water before they let their limbs loose. This is the part that Stella hates worst. I have heard a couple of thuds, but haven't yet found a big limb near the house. Of course, Stella can hear from quite far away, so she tries and tries to tell us that we should crawl under the desk or something like it. She and I had a little glof before it started to rain in ernest. It was a great time to pinch the coleus blossoms off, as there was enough of a breeze to keep most of the mosquitoes at bay. Even though she was off leash, she stayed close to me. Probably was good she got a potty break then, as it might be some time before she gets dry potty time again.
The weather wizards are pretty stumped about predicting this storm. They have been wrong just too many times. So far, we have power and cable. The TV goes off for a few seconds at a time, but no big blackout yet. Those of you who have visited the house know that, though we are down in a hole, there is quite a long way to go to get to the river, and the water would actually prefer to flow to the opposite side of the river from us where there is low land. We do think of the people in Ocala, which quickly fills with water, and in Gainesville where the streets flood.
So, we have several boxes of brownie mix and enough eggs to make them. We have tons of coffee, and enough Lactaid for several days. Lots of Cherrios and keifer. Marcia made a wonderful potato soup and fresh baked bread for dinner, so we are comforted. She had to use up the white box (generic) of shredded wheat, as Stella will only eat the red box kind. Don't even think she is a regular dog.
Perhaps I'll publish before I get a power glip.
KG
Monday, August 18, 2008
Hurricane, Snake, Heat, Mosquito and Banana Spider Season
It's not our best time of year. As you know, I try to stay inside most of the time. However, today that wasn't a good idea. Tropical Storm/hurricane Fay is admittedly a real wuss, but like all of these other summer pests, it is wise to take precautions and prepare. So, before our regular daily rain, not to mention tropical storm type rains, we donned clothes like it was Florida winter-long sleeve shirt and long pants, long socks, sneakers, headband with cutters tissue tied to the back, and, yes, even cotton gardening gloves. This reduces the number of mosquito bites.
Stella was helping me water the porch plants this
So, I first tackled that gigantic floating island that I was so excited about a few blogs ago. It was great fun, but had to be hauled up into the yard lest snakey become accustomed to hunting/fishing under it's cover in the river. Somehow, the little inflatable seats would always come open in the water, and take on water, so the first job was to deflate and drain it. I soon realized that it could probably withstand a cat 5 hurricane without budging, and that I would actually prefer if it blew away, but it has our names and address on it, and retrieving it from across the river half filled with water would be even more distasteful and perhaps even dangerous. I got out the butt buggy and tried to lift its behemothness into the bucket, but there was just enough water left to make it whale like. So, I did what any of you would have done. I stabbed it. It's dead! I'll dispose of it at the Marion County landfill as soon as I can get there. If you missed the summer of the island float-well, too bad.
I find that once you work up a sweat and drench your sneakers and lower legs in water, the heat is a bit more bearable. A couple of runs around the yard in the butt buggy, and you can feel like you have stirred up a breeze.
I was in the process of picking up the hanging yard and porch things when Marcia approached me about the snake. S/he has been using our dock as a digestion station for weeks now, and we know to just watch out for him/her. Marcia says s/he is 6 inches in diameter, but I am thinking more like 3 or 4. We do know that s/he is the length between the first two dock posts on the right hand rail just beyond the steps. Today, s/he was catching all the rays s/he could. Marcia had deferred getting the dock furniture squarred away because of snakey presence. So, I headed down there in the butt buggy. S/he didn't even move. I was able to get the little plastic table, but decided to let the chairs manage as best they could with the existing lock and chain. It could be tightened up, but then again....
To it's credit, this snake's bite is not venomous, but you probably have heard my philosophy vis a vis snakes-any one of them can give you a heart attack. So, we let digesting snakes be.
Banana spiders are a wonder to behold. Rest assured that this is not my hand either supporting or hovering right behind this lovely specimen. Since I am not out much, these ladies (we don't have to closely examine to know their gender) have spun their fabulous lacy webs all over the place-quite notably in the Cronemobile Cathedral where they
are protected from the rain and yet in the flight path of many insects. So, when one goes to retrieve the butt buggy to get some work done, disruptions occur. Also, one can forget, in ones haste to anchor all blow away type things, that the banana spider rules, and soon be wearing a web. Generally, Ms B Spider is scampering away from a web disrupter as large as I am, so the possibility of an encounter is rare. However, the web alone is unpleasant, and her lover is small and perhaps not so swift, so.... I will not post the photos of the effects of the Recluse spider on this blog, but the less faint of heart might wish to Google them. It takes a long time and lots of antibiotics to get over the bite of the recluse, and quite a lot of tissue is lost in the process. One thinks about this when trying to remove a web.
Stella was helping me water the porch plants this
week, and I noticed a cloud of perhaps 20-30 mosquitoes hovering around her. I had considered having her shaved earlier in the summer, but summer inertia and the thought of her near nakedness just stopped me. Now I am glad I didn't.
So, I first tackled that gigantic floating island that I was so excited about a few blogs ago. It was great fun, but had to be hauled up into the yard lest snakey become accustomed to hunting/fishing under it's cover in the river. Somehow, the little inflatable seats would always come open in the water, and take on water, so the first job was to deflate and drain it. I soon realized that it could probably withstand a cat 5 hurricane without budging, and that I would actually prefer if it blew away, but it has our names and address on it, and retrieving it from across the river half filled with water would be even more distasteful and perhaps even dangerous. I got out the butt buggy and tried to lift its behemothness into the bucket, but there was just enough water left to make it whale like. So, I did what any of you would have done. I stabbed it. It's dead! I'll dispose of it at the Marion County landfill as soon as I can get there. If you missed the summer of the island float-well, too bad.
I find that once you work up a sweat and drench your sneakers and lower legs in water, the heat is a bit more bearable. A couple of runs around the yard in the butt buggy, and you can feel like you have stirred up a breeze.
I was in the process of picking up the hanging yard and porch things when Marcia approached me about the snake. S/he has been using our dock as a digestion station for weeks now, and we know to just watch out for him/her. Marcia says s/he is 6 inches in diameter, but I am thinking more like 3 or 4. We do know that s/he is the length between the first two dock posts on the right hand rail just beyond the steps. Today, s/he was catching all the rays s/he could. Marcia had deferred getting the dock furniture squarred away because of snakey presence. So, I headed down there in the butt buggy. S/he didn't even move. I was able to get the little plastic table, but decided to let the chairs manage as best they could with the existing lock and chain. It could be tightened up, but then again....
To it's credit, this snake's bite is not venomous, but you probably have heard my philosophy vis a vis snakes-any one of them can give you a heart attack. So, we let digesting snakes be.
Banana spiders are a wonder to behold. Rest assured that this is not my hand either supporting or hovering right behind this lovely specimen. Since I am not out much, these ladies (we don't have to closely examine to know their gender) have spun their fabulous lacy webs all over the place-quite notably in the Cronemobile Cathedral where they
are protected from the rain and yet in the flight path of many insects. So, when one goes to retrieve the butt buggy to get some work done, disruptions occur. Also, one can forget, in ones haste to anchor all blow away type things, that the banana spider rules, and soon be wearing a web. Generally, Ms B Spider is scampering away from a web disrupter as large as I am, so the possibility of an encounter is rare. However, the web alone is unpleasant, and her lover is small and perhaps not so swift, so.... I will not post the photos of the effects of the Recluse spider on this blog, but the less faint of heart might wish to Google them. It takes a long time and lots of antibiotics to get over the bite of the recluse, and quite a lot of tissue is lost in the process. One thinks about this when trying to remove a web. So, everything is pretty well stowed away from wind and rain. We have plenty of LP gas for our generator, which will keep us on the computer and our refrigerator running,and the well pump working. We can flush with hot tub water-which won't be very hot. The only remaining hanging item that might fly is the bamboo chime on the back porch. I can only hope it does fly, as it is full of wasp nest. Luckily, I am sting free. We will be without AC, however, but I remember, from childhood, that a fan and ice cubes can make an air conditioner of sorts. 
The birds and squirrels will have to do without feeders for awhile, but I say, "Eat more mosquitoes!".
We all know, and I quote, more or less, from Holly's email of this morning, that this means that Ms Fay will dissipate and there will be no more storms this season. Guess it is worth it if that is the case.
KG
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Only Two Things That Money Can't Buy...
True Love and Home Grown Tomatoes. One thing I will say about this summer. We got true love and homegrown tomatoes. They are not coming in quantities enough to can, but what comes in are mighty tasty!
Today's lunch:BLT with Texas Okra pickles and our newest favorite pickle-Wickles.
Most are small, but yesterday I picked a beefsteak sized tomato. It just cried out to be made into BLT, so I had to do it, and I'm glad I did. Marcia is taking the small ones to the veggie dryer and has plans for sun dried (well, food dryer dried) tomato tapanade. I've had her homemade tapanade and I am very supportive of her endeavors. I'm kinda thinking, "Gazpacho". We have homegrown jalipenios (sans salmonilla) too-well, maybe one.
Stella helped me pick tomatoes last night, even though it had been a hard day for her. Her eye has been looking irritated, and she keeps trying to scratch it-not an easy thing to do for a short legged dog. So, off to the vet for the regular yearly checkup and intervention for the eye. Since her life is rather sedate most days, a trip in the car to a place where lots of dogs have left calling cards is quite exciting for her. However, once on the table, rude things happen. She was so out of sorts with "the violator" that she would not accept the offering of a yummy liver smelling treat.
I have to say that she is the best dog ever in all catagories, and that includes compliance at the vet. The doc was able to do all sorts of things to her eye, and she seemed fine with it. It must be said that she was sitting down during all of these eye treatment procedures. Perhaps in her mind, it was a good trade off. We went home with a bag full of meds and med giving treats. She doesn't give Marcia any trouble, but then, we all know the difference between giving medicine to a dog versus a cat. Still, goo in the eye is another matter.
So, when it came my turn to Glof her last night, with the sky making cracking noises, I decided to let her freeload the whole way, and she let me pick tomatoes without any fuss. That's true love!
KG
Hungarian Rapsody
We heard from our friend, Kristina. Regular Empty Cage Blog readers will remember that we stayed in her flat in Budapest May 2007. She has made progress in her renovations. The new toilet sits where the old tub used to be. She tells us that the new fixture is a combined toilet bidet, but looks like something you might want to be careful with.
I wonder if it might function like the paperless toilet Hilda was telling me about. They are all the rage in Japan-70% of households have one. They are also making a hit in Great Britain, but I cannot find a dealer in the US. As a person with two septic tanks by a pristine river, it seems like a good choice. We also know that our next septic dig will be uphill and require a pump (x2) so paperless makes sense. Still, I would like to try it out first.
Anyway, we are thinking that Kristina knocked out a wall to put this shower in. Well worth it!
We are hearing about the kitchen renovation, but no photos yet. Some things did not get done quite as she had in mind. Isn't this always the story of rennovations, and particularly when one is not on site in the process. Still, we cannot wait to see the kitchen.
Look where she and her cousin, Julia got to visit. The Adriatic.
Makes me just want to pack my suitcase!
KG
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