Nature Songs ~~~~
November continues ~
November 23, 2000 - Thanksgiving Day has tottered in with the cold snap. Those in the traditional parades are sure to feel the full extent of hypothermic bodies as they trek along the routes. It’s nice to lay back and watch them from a warmer climate of home. I shall enjoy the quietness of home alone for most of the day.
Tbird’s family is off to the Winston Salem area for dinner with her best friend’s family. llan is out hunting and will eat with his in-laws later in the day. I’ll go over this evening for the traditional meal and get-together with Wes’ family and his in-laws. Cotton will probably be in Teaneck, NJ with her in-laws. Lunch is being serve at the church for family and friends, but my aunt has taken off to Morehead City for another few weeks at the beach so I shall not go alone.
I need this time alone after the full day yesterday. It was pleasing in a way that I spent the whole day at home and missed working out. Even with boys in and out all day, it was still a laid back day and I did some work around the house. Ms. Jay’s grandson spent the day with her and he came out to play with my two grandsons. He and DynoKid played outdoors quite a bit. The two of them enjoyed playing with the soccer ball. Later in the afternoon BingoKid came over for a few hours. He and NascarKid spent a huge part of the day telephoning each other back and forth. I dropped the three of them off at church for choir practice around supper time and went to spend time with Mother.
I didn’t tell the boys that Tbird had a wreck in Morganton Tuesday afternoon. I felt they may be worried about their Mother and since she seemed not to be hurt seriously that it would be better to hear about it from her in person. She called me when she got home, “Well, Mom. Like Mother; like daughter. I followed in your footsteps and had a wreck a while ago.” Traffic was heavy when she pulled out from the Wendy’s driveway. Not seeing the little white truck in one of the lanes, she pulled out in front of it. Not only her one and only wreck in twenty-five years of driving, but she got a ticket as well. If she goes to driving school, the charges will be dropped and there will be no points added to her car insurance.
I had to remind her: “Tbird, it’s not quite ‘like, Mother.’ I’ve never pulled out in front of anyone.” My wrecks had to be more sensational than that being that I flipped the jeep into a deep ditch and rear-ended a car at a stoplight another time. The wreck that caused my life of pain was the result of others racing. We happened to be in the wrong place at the time.
Time to lay back and take it easy for the day. Perhaps I will watch the parades on television. It’s a good time to get out my Christmas music to enjoy for the next month. The music of Christmas is some of my most favorite and I have quite a few cassettes and CD’s to play.
Lest I forget later on:
This was part of our pastor’s page in the church Highlights mailed out each week. I have never heard this influence on our own Thanksgiving.
HOTSPUT
Dutch people celebrate Thanksgiving Day, but unlike our Thanksgiving turkey, their main dish is a beef stew called hotsput. During the war with Spain in the 16th century, the town of Leyden held out against a Spanish siege for a year.
When the Prince of Orange breached the dikes to raise the siege, the approaching flood made the Spanish positions impossible. The invaders fled and the starving people of Leyden were thrilled to find pots of hotsput they had left behind.
The following year when the people gathered together to celebrate their deliverance from Spain, they served hotsput as the traditional dish.
It is possible that the Pilgrims, who spent eleven years in Leyden before sailing to America, were influenced in declaring a day of Thanksgiving by the example of their Dutch friends.
Be it a turkey and all the fixin’s, or any and all the other foods we enjoy at thanksgiving, we as a country should not forget that food is an expression of our thanksgiving to God for other things; not just food to enjoy.
“Be Ye Thankful.”
** Yet another of my Pastor’s gleanings from his own Journal to our congregation.
“There is little doubt that our society has lost it’s sense of the holy. Though many things are said to be ‘awesome’ there is little ‘awe’. Along with that, there has been a visible trade in the value system as priorities and treasures have been traded for trinkets. Fredrick Speakman once suggested, ‘The man who has nothing before which he is eager to bow will someday be flattened by the sheer weight of himself’.
If we have lost that sense, and have allowed ourselves only the pursuit of immediate pleasures, it will dull our sense of wonder and awe. How often we stumble over molehills because we have lost our larger vision of what life is all about.
In his work, ‘The Rock’. T.S. Elliot wrote about a people who have lost their sense of the holy. ‘There is no beginning, no movement, no peace and no end ... but noise without speech, food without taste.’ In another section he wrote, ‘And the wind shall say: “Here were the decent godless people; their only monument the asphalt road and a thousand lost golf balls.’
In many ways our society is upside down when it comes to priorities. We need to feel and gain a new understanding of the words of Jesus: ‘Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and everything else will be added.’ “
November 24, 2000 - A bounty of delicious foods made it difficult to choose a realistic amount of morsels to savor. There were about fifteen edible mixtures placed side by side, each beaconing a delicious aroma by sight and smell. By some miracle I stuck to my guns and made do with only one plate of goodies followed by one dessert. I learned to stop before I’m over-full and therefore expand the enjoyment of a wonderful meal. Thanksgiving evening was filled with good food and good company at Wendy and Wes’ home.
Time to leave for home and there was nothing to do but bring BingoKid home with me. Me thinks he would come to live with me if given the choice. We do get along well together when it is just the two of us. This morning he and I went to Q4L together and he spent the hour and half in the water with me ... He played more in the deeper end while we exercised, but did do some of the workouts with us. From there we were off to Wally World. I forgot that this is super day for shopping and what a crowd would be there in the store, but we were in and out fairly fast.
Other than a brief visit with Mother, we spent the afternoon at home. I rested most of that time. He used the leaf blower and got the leaves off the carport for the third time this season along with some of the other leaves around the house. He got out his BB gun and I reviewed the rules of safety with him before restricting him to the back yard for shooting at targets. The rest of his afternoon was taken up with the computer and television.
November 25, 2000 - The rains have come as if on a mission of some sort. We need all we can get, however it is great that it is warmer than expected and no frozen stuff in included in the downpours. Heavy and steady for part of the day but I didn’t need the weatherman to tell me that. I woke up and knew without even looking outside what the weather was like. It is PRAINY weather. It is the Prainiest weather I’ve have to endure in a long spell. Maybe it is only the weather. Maybe it is the fact the shots I’ve been taken are out of my system. Maybe the change in meds has some effect. Whatever the maybe may be, it is a PRAINY day indeed. It is a day I rather not have to move about any at all.
I have an appointment this afternoon to have my doggies’ pictures taken. It will be a new experience and I have no idea what may happen. Neither of them have grown back all the hair I had cut off for the summer, but maybe another year I can repeat the pictures and compare the years and length of hair. I made arrangements for Wes to help me out before I made the appointments. No way would I attempt the two of them by myself. We may not get the two of them to sit side by side long enough to snap a single shot. If it works out I may take a picture of them and use on the Christmas greetings this year for a different idea.
A dark, dreary, rainy day turns into a dark, dreary, foggy evening. We survived the trip for pictured taking. Except for the fact Oreo refused to sit beside Charlie in the middle of a Christmas wreath, all went better than expected. Charlie got his poses sitting in the wreath - well, toward the end of his time they did have to drape a gold and black scarf over him so they could hold he in place. He responded to a whistle by looking up for it for each of his shots. Oreo didn’t want to sit on the table. He did better in a small rocking chair. Christmas things were draped around and under the chair. He posed more for his pictures, but did try getting down a few times. I had taken along his favorite toy to use as a focal point and it helped a lot. Thursday I go back to choose what to buy.
A quick trip to the nursing center and there Mother is still in bed. She refused to get up again today. I think she got mad at the staff because someone brought in her breakfast and placed it on the table in the middle of the floor. It was not even rolled over to the bed. She did not eat breakfast. Someone came in and got her tray to take it back to the kitchen without asking her about eating. Apparently they didn’t check to see that she had not eaten. I’ll have to talk to her main nurse Monday to ensure that doesn’t happen again. She has decided that she is in the way and too much trouble and wants to die to get out of the way.
Tbird brought her three over close to supper time to stick around with me a few hours so she and hubby could dine out together and do a little browsing for Christmas presents. Wee Miss Giggles has no intent of slowing down any. She is a study in perpetual motion. A talking one at that. It was an energetic evening with DynoKid helping me out quite a bit with his sister. She managed to find some balls to play with and most of the rest of the time was spent chasing after the dogs. She climbed on my lap a hundred times at least, just to crawl down and go again. After all had taken leave, I was more than prepared to turn toward the bed.
November 26, 2000 -
A Prainy day is brought by rain
That really brings out the pain.
I never cease to be amazed
How it spins a filigree daze.
A mood that’s hazy,
A body made lazy.
All because it’s a Prainy Day.
Naturally there was no worthy rationalism to pry myself from bed this morning. Sleep was sporadic throughout the night. My aunt is off to Morehead City vacationing again. A momentous fog envelopes the area. The joints scream for me to hold still and not move; not even a muscle in a finger. All too soon, I managed to take my customary handful of tablets and capsules followed by feasting on a banana to officially commence the day. Things are waiting to be done, even though it is a Sunday.
Desiring to brighten the family Matriarch’s day, I was off to BoJ’s to buy her a country ham biscuit and fresh brewed coffee. Coffee for two in hand along with biscuits, I also carried a special present into the nursing center. Tbird bought Mother a Santa Claus plaque to hang on her door for Christmas. I chose to put it on the wall close to Mother’s bed so she could see it better when her eyes are focusing.
One more day that she elected to remain in bed! I think the weekend assistants do not bother to encourage her to make the giant vault from the bed to her wheelchair. We munched our brunch together as we watched the Sunday Service on television in spite of all the extra noise in the hallway this morning. I had time to paint Mother’s fingernails before lunch was delivered. She had more ham for lunch! Since she had eaten some already this morning we shared her tray between us. It made her happier to do it that way. A trip up the hall to get some ice to fix a coke for her, and then I was ready to head home. On the way out the door she reminded me to bring her Christmas tree from home so her room would be decorated properly for the season.
Home to a lazy afternoon. Wes and the boys were over for a while and took out the garbage for me before leaving to go shopping. I downloaded a program to see what it was like. I uninstalled it a few hours later because it was more a nuisance than a help. It kept interrupting work every little bit with not-so-funny jokes and remarks and offers to help. It definitely was not for me . ..
November 27, 2000 - The Arthritis Foundation has a book out about ways to make life easier living with arthritis. The Searle/ Pfizer Pharmacy Associates sent it to me with a thank you for my interest in asking for it. I don’t recall asking and really don’t believe I did. It appears more like a ploy for advertising their product for help with arthritis. At any rate I looked through the book and found it quite interesting. 250 Tips For Making Life With Arthritis Easier, an official publication of The Arthritis Foundation has some very useful suggestions for making life more livable. It’s surprising how many of them I have already put to use here at home, and some I have developed which they do not have listed in the book. A series of trial and error gradually leads to ways of improving everyday life. Having a book as a guide cuts short some of the processes of learning.
Many a day and month has passed since Allie and I have been out for lunch. Today we left Q4L together to examine her pictures taken the other Saturday. With a little time to spare we shopped around Kmart before heading to a Mexican Restaurant for lunch. Our luck may not have been the best in the world. The item Allie wanted was unavailable. I got cornered in the little girl’s department unable to make up my mind which outfit to buy for Giggles. The things I liked most was either too small, too large or too expensive. One set I wanted was missing the pants to go with the vest and shirt. I had to look through and find a match and right size to go with the particular top I wanted. I ended up buying two sets for her. Guess it will be part of her Christmas present.
Pushing my time to the limit this morning, I rushed out the door with just enough time to get to Q4L for the exercise class. The dogs had barked earlier and I heard a truck, but figured it was the trash man coming early. Glancing at the front door as I headed down the drive, a huge box sitting there caught my attention. First thoughts were that I would take it in when I returned. Second instinct told me that with this being the Christmas season I best back up and take them inside and then proceed. The last thing I need is to loose some of the things I’ve ordered for everyone. I was fifteen minutes late to Quest.
I crashed when I got home for several hours and then it was time to head over to the nursing center. Mother had already called twice to see if I was bringing the Christmas tree to her. It didn’t take long for me to switch things around and place the tree on top of her television with the flower arrangement stored on the top shelf of her closet for next summer’s enjoyment. She needs one of those plugs to use so that the video will work. It is unplugged for now since last year things worked out fine because the television she used then had the video in the same set. (She was out of bed under protest today. The nurse forced her to get up. Now she plans to stay up all night ...)
I have mixed feelings about having any of the Christmas stuff dragged out here at the house. Stuff is in disarray for now since Lady is still under the weather. The boys have been in and out fairly often lately and Giggles has done her share of misplacing things. Tbird mentioned they put up their tree Saturday and the boys helped. She offered that the boys would “help” me put mine up. For some reason that doesn’t sound like the best of ideas from my end of the parley.
November 28, 2000 - I watched for another package to be delivered this morning before I left to exercise. None came this morning. We had a class to attend on Herbal Usage after our workout so it was later when we left Quest. Ms. Jay and I planned to visit with Mother, but I wanted to check at home to see if any boxes were left at my doorstep, and she has some clothes to hang out to dry. There were no boxes awaiting me.
Mother’s good friend was already there and had helped her with lunch by the time we arrived. We all sat and had a nice long visit together while Mother listened and munched on candy. Another of our friends had come up earlier this morning and filled the bird feeders and left Mother a bag of candy the church makes each year to raise money for missions. After we left she went to play Bingo without me today and was able to play by herself. She even won a quarter for herself.
This time when I arrived home there was a package at my door. It was a small box which had only two things in it that the boys wanted. Guess I need to work on my ability to wait more patiently, since I expect everything to arrive within a week of the time I order. It could be that the clothing places have me spoiled with their free upgrade for faster delivery.
Trying to upload some of my journal online was a hassle later in the evening. At one point I was afraid that I was losing what I had added before things decided to jive and work together to complete the saving process. I gave up on changing the clickables on the calendars. That will have to wait till tomorrow. (Patience, my dear, all will work out in the end.)
November 29, 2000 - A second box of children’s toys arrived today. One box of presents a day is coming so far this week. Oddly enough, Toys R Us is advertising that they have better organization this year than last year and delivery will be much improved are Christmas deliveries. I have to note that they are advertising shipment within twenty-four hours on available items. Everything I ordered was available on Sunday a week ago when the order was placed. One box was mailed out Thursday; one on Friday, one on Monday of this week and there is yet one more item that will be shipped “when available.” If shipments are strung out that much this early in the season I can only wonder how shipments will be closer to Christmas. One box would easily hold everything I ordered because there were no large items. I have my own six grandchildren to buy for and there are nine gifts to get for my brother’s grandchildren. My price range that I can afford does not allow for anything large or fancy. Two of the presents will be for older children and I play to get gift certificates for them.
There is a sound outside now. Maybe it is UPS with some more for my delight. I found out today that the mail lady is leaving the other boxes at the door. She used to blow the horn for me to come to the car and get any packages. Guess she has figured out it is faster and easier to just get out of the car and do it for herself. I’ll check the door when I leave to see Mother.
Mother called to tell me that she broke her special dark glasses that she is supposed to wear all the time. Some way she broke off one side. One of the staff put it back together, but I need to see if I can locate the pair here at the house that she used when she had the cataract surgeries. In fact, if I remember correctly, there are two pair here - somewhere ...?
A call real early this morning was made by NascarKid to me for his Mother. There is a half day of school tomorrow for the schoolchildren. Teachers have to work and I am needed to pick up the boys at 12:30. That will make for an interesting day tomorrow since I will also go to pick up the pictures I had made of the dogs.
So much to do, it seems. I have a lot more things on my agenda for this year then I’ve had in quite a few years. Christmas season for me begins this Friday night when I go to the program at Tbird’s church using the tickets she gave me for my birthday. Saturday we have our Christmas Party at Quest. A lot of preparations are being made for it by the girls that man the reception desk. Tuesday night is the Genealogy group party. Wednesday noon is our swim team party. Following are several more parties, as well as a program at the Civic Center and BingoKid’s very first Band Program. Gee, the thoughts of it and I’m already tired.
November 30, 2000 - One more month and another year will have passed by in a flurry of activities. Time was when I thought in terms of being able to retire in the next year. Little did I know that I would have already been retired for nearly 13 years! Even those years have sped by in their own promptitude. Strange how so many things you think you might do are never carried out to finish and in most cases, not even begun. Life has a way of choosing its own pathway as it evolves.
There were no more boxes of presents at the front door last evening. I did get an email informing me that the last box was shipped from Toys R Us. Maybe one reason that they are not mailing out their orders within twenty-four hours is because they have merged with Amazon who is doing the shipping this year.
Cotton called and touched base with me. Sounds like they may decide to come and join in our family fun here on Christmas morning this year. It will be the first time in a long time. I would love to see both of them, since it has been awhile since they were here. We used to get together several times a year, but I’ve not been able to hold up my end of the visits to New Jersey. That reminds me, I got my very first Christmas card from a friend in New Jersey - and I’ve not even started doing any cards yet.
It’s not long until I will start out my busier than usual day today. That means that I will not be checking the email and stuff later today in all likelihood. First to Quest to limber myself up for the rest of the day. I should stop at the grocery store and pick up a few things before I pick up the boys, but I’ll play that move by ear and muscle aches when the time arrives. I will have to cross the mountain in Burke County to pick up the boys at lunchtime. I’m hoping they will have eaten lunch before school is over. We will stop and visit Mother on the way back home which will save some time for me later.
The dogs’ pictures will be ready for me to check on after three this afternoon. I’m wondering how many I will end up buying. Guess it would be a good idea to set a dollar amount to spend before I walk into the store. Hopefully, since it probably will be two sets of pictures I can hold the cost down to fifty dollars or less. If they are not good pictures that will be easy to do, but I have a feeling that will not be the case and I will want all of them.
The boys have a chore to do for me that they failed to carry out the last time they were here. I asked them to carry out the papers and recyclables for me. The man came today and none were outdoors for him. The boys will have more to do today which will have to sit out for a week, since I get papers every day.
Lady is coming this evening to clean and straighten up for me. She hasn’t been here in over two weeks and my house shows it! I’m not at all sure she will want to all the work today. We may save some of it for next week.
I’m off to the Salt Mines for the day.
Next month DECEMBER
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©2000 by Stormy Jeanne
