Selective Abondonment

When I find myself in times of trouble....Mother Mary comes to me...Speaking words of wisdom...let it be.

I have found that sometimes you just have to let go of some things on your list of things to accomplish. It is like running on a 'power saver' mode...selective abandonment.

I remain on antibiotics, and hence those arthritis drugs of choice are not allowed. And so I have assumed the role of the 'tin man'...I mean 'tin woman'...Biofreeze and pain meds are my best friends.

Saturday was spent in the ER with 'me mum' who had respiratory issues that were getting worse. X rays showed no pneumonia, but other tests showed a UTI infection. She is now on an antibiotic for that and prednisone for breathing issues.

The Amazing Grace [dog] is currently enrolled in 'thunder and lightening training' using the wicker basket from the car... used when she is with us on a ride. I brought it into the bedroom, and it gives her a defined place to go that is hers.

"Get in the basket!! [And the basket is ON my bed with me hanging onto it.!!]

She is still in altered states, but I do see progress. Whew!

So, with minimal energy and motivation, my knees have literally sat me down. No extra activities. Kind of a lack of focus on anything else, including storytelling and computer activities other than some occasional solitaire and hearts, which require no thinking or typing.

And now, I can hear my pillow and blanket/bed calling my name....

Quackers!!

My neighbors are the proud foster parents of a Mama Duck and her newly hatched 10 babies. From the time that the nest was discovered, the arrival of the baby ducks was closely monitored. At one point, some eggs were found out of the nest ['on the loose' ]and were carefully placed back into the nest!!
Today, up close and personal, we watched Mama Duck lead her new swimmers all around the water atop the pool cover as she showed them how to swim, drink, and wash up. It was great fun to see her poke them one at a time, and the real crowd pleaser was smiling at the speed with which the babies reattached themselves to their mother's body when they sensed possible danger [ us]. It was like a magnetic force and ....whoosh... the ten little streaks were with Mom again and bobbing up and down. It was so fast that if you blinked...you missed it!
When the ducks tried to climb the side of the pool cover, they kept sliding back down . Then a board was put down, and it took no time at all for them to 'walk the plank.' It was awesome, and Flo is still talking about it.
To my neighbors...thanks for sharing the new arrivals on the block!!

Oprah...and my favorite word...Imagine!

Yesterday was 'The Oprah Winfrey Show Finale'. Her talk show has been a major influence for many people. She wrapped up 4, 561 shows over a 25 year span of sharing, learning, laughing, ...understanding.

For the past two days, many people, both the famous and the unknown, convened in a large arena to surprise her and demonstrate the fact that she has influenced so many lives. I was inspired by many people...mostly those whose lives were changed by Oprah.

Quite an awesome memory for her was combination of the 'Wicked' Broadway Show star singing the song, "I have Been Changed [for good]" as 400 graduates of Morehouse College dressed in tuxedos and carrying a single light walked in the aisles to assemble on the stage. They had all graduated from college with scholarships from Oprah's benevolence where they would not have been able to attend college without the assistance. Just a wonderful thing to be able to make a difference in the lives of others...kind of like the 'pay it forward' initiative in action.

One guest, a neuroscientist Dr Jill Taylor, wrote a book about [her] stroke that changed her life forever. Her 'Stroke of Insight' is an amazing read about the mysteries of the brain.

Two insights worth repeating:
All life is energy.
"Please take responsibility for the energy you bring into this space."

So, to conclude my thoughts...Oprah...

There are so many focuses on her...her history, her money, her weight, her hair, her power, her choices, ....whatever.. Like her...don't like her. Watch her...don't watch her.

But you cannot go without acknowledging the good deeds that she has made happen...the changes that she has orchestrated on this planet...one person at a time.

Good for you, Oprah.

And to go back to Dr. Jill's quote:

Please take responsibility for the energy that you bring into this place...

I choose good energy. How 'bout you?

Aww...how nice!!

Each day is a new day. There is generally a good amount of predictability along with an occasional unexpected event or impromptu conversation. Now enter into the equation...Mom.
She is 99 and has two settings: awake or asleep. On 'OFF' days, she nods off many times and sleeps most of the day as well as night. However, I know when she awakens at 6AM that it is 'wide-eyed Flo' in the 'ON' state. Synapses are firing and it usually is very entertaining to say the least. Truths surface from the recesses of her mind with great clarity. My brother phones 'The Queen Mum' two or three times a day...that's the way it has always been, is now, and forever shall be...world without end....Amen.

Today, at 8 AM, I pushed the telephone digits to call his his office [which opens at 9], handed the phone to Flo, and she surprised him with the first call.

"Good morning, Sweet Angel!"

And you can bet money on her saying, "Always good to talk with you!" and that's how you know that the conversation is over. Today she asked him,

"How is Tommy doing?"

Tommy is my nephew...handsome, debonair, smart, kind, and funny. He has a wonderful sense of humor and he is rock solid in that if you need help, you can count on him. In a word...'a GEM'.

He also is not the luckiest guy on the planet in terms of life and events that have happened to him. He's had some bumps in the road as well as a meteor or two explode in his orbit. [ I can relate to this...I think I got that genetic marker, too.]

Mom has asked about his well being quite regularly.

"Tommy's good, Mom. He is here now getting some work done before the office opens."

And then she said,

"I've always had a soft spot for him. I just think he's wonderful."

It was beautiful. Unscripted and from the heart...and so real.

Whew! Bulls eye. Priceless!

Tiny Dancer at 8...and again at 80!

As a society, we celebrate perfection... in the arts, Olympics, design, specialty cooking, sporting events, parties.
We relate to imperfection. It can be heartwarming and fulfilling using a different set of criteria or judgement...as in no judgment. Quite often, it is the spontaneous and unplanned misstep or two that can be just as appreciated as the perfect steps.

My [grand]niece is seven years old and is preparing for a dance recital. Most likely it will be three hours of song, dance, and sparkly costumes beaming out from beautiful smiling faces on stage in front of a captive audience.. I can remember attending her mother's starring performances some 30+ years ago. It is like a rite of passage.

What is most likely the best part of the show?

I nominate the little kid who is obviously out of step, moving in a direction totally different than the rest of the ensemble, and ultimately hits the deck with her too too above her head.

Today, this whole scenario came full circle.

I attended a hospital volunteer luncheon at a very nice restaurant in town. After the tasty meal and recognition awards were distributed, the entertainment took center stage. There were ten senior volunteers dressed in red and white who had agreed to showcase a couple of their line dancing routines. They get together once a week for the exercise, interaction and fun. And I commend them for their time and effort, but mostly for the good time that I had with a smile on my face and a song in my heart. In the second row on the far left was a beautiful little octogenarian who was clearly dancing to the beat of a different drummer...and she certainly was the highlight of the entire afternoon. Watching the dancers in front of her, and then those moving at her because she hadn't changed directions, she was just dancing up a storm. And the entire 'captive audience' was totally captivated by her innocence and charm. 'Dance recital gone wild' had come full circle...with an audience smiling at dancers they don't even know and enjoying every minute of it. Who was having the most fun?

That would be the 'tiny dancer' in the back row having the time of her life!

And so, I say ...thank you so much...to that tiny line dancer who danced 'outside the lines' and did it quite impressively. I cherished it, and you made my heart smile.

Sharing a thought or two.

The semi-annual session of AARP Driving Instructors gathered this morning for some updated information followed by lunch. There is a promotion in July and August for retired teachers [nationwide] where they will be able to take the class for free. Contact AARP via the 1-800 number by phone or online for classes available in your area. You will save money for three years and hopefully brush up on some safety strategies.

On the way home, I stopped to grab some very necessary groceries. After I parked the car, I grabbed a stranded grocery cart from the lot and walked it in. This is a habit that I adopted long ago that now adds steadiness in my walking into the store. When I first started doing this, I figured that the people who were hired to do that job could spend more time assisting people instead of pushing carts. You will not be taking away anyone's job. And if you are among those who like to run a antibacterial wipe over the bar, you can grab one [from your personal supply] as you exit your car and be on your way shopping PDQ. Spread the word...Walk a cart in...it's right in the direction that you're headed!!

The Windmills of my Mind...

You just don't know how things will go. You may be willing to 'bet the ranch' because of a preponderance of evidence, or past experience. My mom is the classic example of this.

She is a 99 1/2 year old tapestry of emotions and experiences who travels in and out of altered states, hibernation, and then...total sanity.

In bed at 8 PM last night, I think I knew that she wasn't necessarily one deep breath away from a snore. She can fool ya, though! The wee small hours of the morning brought thunder, rain, and a dog... gone wild. The situation went back and forth between the trembling dog, the wide-eyed, blue-eyed beauty, and the caretaker off of her arthritis meds for 6 weeks with a pair of 'pretty annoyed' knees. [That would be me.] Flo, by nature, can be a clock watcher...We saw 2AM and 330AM, and after a couple of hours that I thought there had been some sleep happening...the boom was lowered.

"What time is it?",

"Mom, it is the middle of the night."

At 6 AM, I hear from the corner..."This is ridiculous!!"

"What is that?" I asked.

"Staying in this bed any longer!" Tone of voice: not a happy camper...downright snarky.

I thought to myself that it was going to be a long day! Ooph!

Lord help me!

After a trip to the bathroom, some clothes, some food, and a dog on her lap...Flo's personality changed into a very alert, yet pleasant companion for the day.

Who'd a thunk that was going to happen?

We have laughed, birdwatched, and Flo remarked,

"That hummingbird has been to the feeder so many times that I am flabbergasted!"
OMG!

And a bit later I reminded her of something that she had said and evidently I didn't get it right because she said,

"If that's the case, I must issue a retraction!"

Then when giving her a couple of pills...

"Are these mine?"

"Well, of course Flo, I wouldn't be giving you MY pills!!"

To which she looked up, smiled, and responded,

"One never knows...do one?"

Some days, Mom sleeps most of the day and there is no keeping those peepers open.

Today, they have not closed for a second.

It's a rainy Sunday [when I don't have any help] which easily could have been an unpleasant combination.We just had popcorn and rootbeer soda. I am amazed at the very close relationship that exists on some days where Flo remembers unbelievable things, uses big words, and is easy to hang out with as we laugh about stuff. She is hoping that her 'person' on Survivor wins her money tonight. I hope so, too.

But more than that I would like a thunderfree night of peaceful sleep!

Does this look like the face of someone who is the least bit tired?

Speedbumps!!

Today was the first day of two of the Safe Driving classes that I host/teach. There were 33 people enrolled and their smiling faces and cooperative nature helped to take the edge of a kind of a 'bumpy start.'

I headed to the car this morning with my arms full of the registration forms and instruction books, and I unlocked the passenger door with the remote on my keyring. I placed all the materials on the seat, tossed the keys onto the driver's seat, closed the door, and headed around to get going.

The driver's side door would not open...it was locked. My keys were on the seat.
I quick stepped to the passenger door...it was also locked.
Everything was locked and the keys were inside. Damn!

I was praying that the spare set of keys in the house would be easily accessible, because I knew that at least half of the participants would arrive early. They always do!I I had planned to be 45 minutes early.
Thank ya, Jesus! Whew! On my way again.

Five minutes to the church auditorium where 7 tables and 35 chairs are generally set up and ready.

Wrong!!...4 tables and 20 chairs. Thankfully, those early birds pitched right in!

Then the TV/VCR was waist high instead of the regular high one. They said that the tall one was set up for something later, but when I couldn't get the short one to work...and they couldn't either...

They wheeled in the tall one. Whew!
Meanwhile, 33 people to register and get 'rollin' along'...I had worked up a bit of a sweat!!

We got right into it, and because I had prefilled out 60% of each form, we lost no time.

Did I mention that in the whirlwind of chaos, I managed to leave my pocketbook at home?!!

Tomorrow is Day 2 followed by lunch with a couple of friends.

Life is good.

And there ya have it!

Here's the buzz...

On Friday, at last...it was my good fortune to cross off of my 'to do' list...the colonoscopy and endoscopy that was keeping me off my regular meds. After getting lost on the 45 minute ride, we had to stop two times to ask people for directions. One man flicked his wrist and said,
"You go that way, and then [flicking his wrist in a 90 degree angle] and then that way!" It was kind of nerve racking. What could be worse than getting lost on the way to a scheduled procedure? That would be that you were the chosen one who had evacuated all systems in preparation for the event!!
We even managed to get lost in the parking garage!
Finally, I hopped into that fashionable gown knowing that there was definitely light at the end of the tunnel. [No pun intended.]
With all questions answered and the IV secured [on the second try]. the nurse called out to the doctor at the nurses' station,
"Okay, doctor. We are all set here...this is a double ...what do you want first...heads or tails?"
Very funny! Haha!
And then ....my favorite place to be...altered states...followed by...
"You're all done! All's well."
I am, however, back on a specific antibiotic to 'seek and destroy' a problem that was identified.

To calm my screaming shoulders down prior to the tests,I have had a shot of cortisone in both shoulders within the last week. Were they painful? Bearable...Grrrr..
Not as bad as cortisone shots in the knee.
And the improvement in my upper arms was so welcomed!
I am currently looking for a volleyball team in need of someone with bionic shoulders to spike the ball and be the hero/ine!!!!
I am presently considering the current field of offers.... I'll keep you posted!

Soon...

Hopefully, I am rounding the corner in the maze of 'doctoring and diagnosing'. Today I prep for tomorrow's colonoscopy, and then I'm hoping everything returns to normal...whatever that is!

I'm looking forward to Friday at noon.

Tata for now.

This is my focal point.

I'll be closing my eyes for a good night's sleep, and tomorrow will be a different day. I am ready to get there.

Peace be with me...and also with you.