mar012

Nature Songs ~~~~

March 6, 2001 - Another of those days of ups and downs and in-betweens with nothing like what other days have been.

It “twer’nt” called for, but we got some anyway. The ground was white, wind blowing with a vengeance, and the news media was saying to stay in if you didn’t have to be out because roads were covered with black ice and blowing snow, making them dangerous. (I’m about to hit that limit of 40 words in a sentence.) The wind chill factor was around zero. It was quite easy for me to roll over in bed and not give going to Q4L a second thought. I did have this week’s assignments on my mind and chose to work on them this morning.

Ms. Jay called to remind me this is Tuesday - Senior’s Day at Belk’s - and a lot of items were on sell. We made plans to venture out closer to noon to shop. Cotton called right before time to leave and touched base with me on how things are doing. I have snow here. All the mess missed her in New Jersey, much to her relief. She will be here for a week beginning Sunday evening.

I picked up Ms Jay a few minutes later than we expected to be leaving and we became shopaholics for a day. Each heading to our own special areas we spent several hours in Belk’s. Dress shoes that fit my need to include the inserts for my arches and arthritis were not to be found. I know I can order some, but it would be nice to try them on to see how they look and feel first. I may end up wearing my running shoes and forget about being dressy. I bought twenty dollars worth of foundation powder for my face in order to get the free kit being offered in the Cosmetic Department. The kit has six items in it that I can use. One is a divider to use for the toes in order to paint them. I believe it will work for Mother’s fingers and keep her from smearing her nail polish before it dries. Parkinson Disease makes it hard for her to steady and control her hands and I usually have to go back and touch up where she touches some of them.

Ms. Jay and I both spent time in the travel luggage. Much of it was 50% off. She was searching for a bag to use carrying gear back and forth to Quest. I was interested in a backpack I had read about that also has rollers on it so it can be rolled around. It would be perfect for NascarKid to use on his trip this summer. I found one I though he would really like and while I was exploring it’s nooks and crannies, I decided to buy two of them. One for him and one for me. It is possible Tbird might like to use mine this summer for herself on the trip was in the back of my mind, also. At check out, I got them for the 50% off, plus my Senior Day 15% off, plus I had a $5 coupon to use if I put it on my Belk Charge Card. I ended up saving $47 on the two of them. Mine is ready for me to take to Quest in the morning.

We treated ourselves to BLT sandwiches and an ice cream sundae at the Sonic while listening to 50’s music after our shopping spree. Yes, we indulged ourselves to ice cream as we sat out in our car at the old timey type order/speaker post in a parking lot listening to music on one of the coldest days of the year. Our hands half frozen, we decided to ride on over to see Mother and stay long enough to play Bingo with her today.

Weather conditions have been the worst in many a year in the mountains today. It has been blizzard-like all day. The wind has been blowing around 20 to 30 miles an hour all day with gusts of 40 to 60 mph. Sugar Mountain, between Blowing Rock and Boone, recorded one gust at 93 mph. The wind chill factor went as low as -20 degrees. Driving has been very difficult because of the wind itself and because of the blowing snow.

This was not a good day to attend a funeral in Boone. I don’t know if Wes tried to make it up there for his best friend’s funeral or not. One would have to wonder about whether there was an attempt to go through with the burial or if they will wait until the weather conditions are improved. Because of other commitments I had here, Wes and Allan went up for the receiving last evening without me. It was snowing then and the wind made it hard to walk around much. Wes drove up with another of his high school friends while Allan and his wife drove up by themselves.

March 7, 2001 - Cotton’s Anniversary is today. Tomorrow would have been Daddy Gordon’s 67th birthday. He was several months older than BJ so it is easy to keep up with what age he would have been if he was still alive. 2:24 a.m. and so far sleep is nowhere to be found.

The center had me to sign permission slips yesterday for the physical therapist to work with Mother again. I still have to wonder how much good it is to work with her once every year or so. I’m not very optimistic and only hope that she does not break a bone in the process or try to do something on her own again. Having that walker sitting in her room is an open invitation to try doing things for herself with it. I think maybe her fall on Sunday sparked this latest attempt to make her a little more mobile.

One of these days some good news has got to start spreading itself around quite thickly. Seems each time the phone rings it has some sort of sad or bad report. UPS left me a message to call them back about the pogo stick. I’m about ready to wish I had never got the urge to order one, especially from that company that is causing all the ruckus for me and for UPS. All I can do is keep repeating the same thing to them. I got no pogo stick, I got no package and no, I did not file a damaged package report. The end, leave me alone. The local girl called me yesterday morning - why another call today!

The other call was from Mother’s baby sister. She is back from the beach. Her stay there was not a very enjoyable one. She felt so bad and had problems for four or five days before she finally went to the emergency room to get help. Making the results a little shorter, she was in the hospital for three days. At some time she has had a heart attack which has damaged one lobe of her heart. That means that lobe is only flopping without doing any work. She has fluid in her lungs and her heart is too weak to pump it out, which means she has congestive heart failure. They put her on two different pills for the condition and told her to give the reports to her local doctor and check with him. She is out at the lake by herself - just her and her dog. She is the fifth one in the family out of eleven to have serious heart problems. I am going to be worried about her being so far away from others in case something serious would happen. She has her cellular phone to carry around, but one is not always able to make calls in an emergency.

March 8, 2001 - Best part of today is the fact that it’s a day closer to when Cotton will arrive to spend a week at home. She has confirmed she will be arriving here Sunday evening with apologies that it is because she has another dog event here in North Carolina the following weekend. Looking at my calendar, it appears I have more to do for the week than I usually do. She and her friend can tag along with me if they so wish. She may use that time to do her required regular work for the day. This is a working week for her as well.

One month today since my last visit to the back doctor. His receptionist was supposed to call and tell me when my next appointment was to be. The meds run out today, so guess I’ll have to call - again! This is getting to be a pain in itself. Their reliability for making appointments on time is becoming notoriously inadequate.

So, let’s complain about this and that when it comes to doctors and drugs and insurance ... Am I reading between the lines of what’s happening correctly, or is this appointment problem just a problem? Should I give up and stop going? Am I showing enough improvements to keeping returning? Did they mail in the letter to insurance about my being approved for the one drug? Checking at the drugstore yesterday, I am not approved yet. The paper the prescription is written on is getting all worn out carrying it around. Think I’ll call later today and ask the insurance company what they feel is the best medication for me would be. Apparently they have already made their decision that the doctor does not know best; if the letter was mailed to them.

The insurance company did not approve refilling my blood pressure medication when I called it in two weeks ago - reporting it was too soon for a refill. On one hand they “say” refills can be made up to three months at a time. I allowed myself to use the last dosage before calling for a refill. The drugstore has that particular drug on backorder from the company. Again, has the insurance company made the decision what is best for me over the doctor’s diagnosis?

Following a class I participated in Wednesday at Quest on Body Fat, we checked my initial work up when I joined the group. It felt good to see the results and compare then and now. Inches are less, body fat is less, weight is less, and my health should be improving as a result. Hopefully some of the evening classes will be offered to those of us morning members that would like to take part in the programs. Namely, a group that meets to encourage and work on weight control which is similar to Weight Watchers and another one on Total Health and Living Better for Women.

The mini blast of winter weather is passing and warmer weather is taking over. Cold this morning and then we begin heating up. Robins are around the area even though it’s cold. My robin has not appeared on the limb outside my bedroom window. I miss it’s morning call announcing another day. If it is gone, perhaps another one will make its way to the backyard to nest and raise its young. A bright red cardinal has been chirping away in the front of the house, in search of a mate to share a nest with him. Come to think of it, the robin that builds its nest near the backdoor has been missing. Wonder what the age for an adult bird would be. Chances are, it’s time for a new generation to take over.

Krispy-Kreme is rolling in the dough, both money-wise and doughnut-wise. It has become a hit with those outside of North Carolina. What a pity that our secret is out and now everyone has the chance to eat one of our favorite foods. Thinking about them makes my mouth water wanting one. Just one, with all the gooey creme filling or my favorite, lemon filling, and a cup of coffee. Decaf coffee, please. How can one lose weight with such a delicacy beaconing and enticing - just one! A HOT one, freshly made ! Ecstasy supreme ... Hope folks on Wall Street and around other places takes time to try one.

5:43 a.m., and my day is only beginning. I need to make a Cyber card to send for my uncle’s birthday today.

March 9, 2001 One of those weeks that wasn’t exactly planned quite the way it has progressed to. Wendy brought over BingoKid yesterday afternoon; baggage and all. I knew she and Wes were leaving on vacation and that BingoKid wanted to stay a few of the days with me. He decided he wanted to stay with me until Monday evening when his other grandmother will come for him and see that he gets to and from school next week. He is out of school today and wanted to go to Quest with me to workout. I also got the puppy for all the time they will be gone. Bingo the dog has joined the family once again. He is very much at home with the other dogs here at home.

Cotton called last night to touch base with us about coming in over the weekend. She and her friend are bringing three dogs each with them. That means that we shall have NINE, yes, nine, dogs in this house all of next week That shall be an experience for us. We have all truly made this a house of dogs. Four of them I know are big dogs. One of them I am unsure about the size and one of the basenji is to come. Help, we are going to need space and patience to get us through the dog experience. I know that three will stay downstairs. Bingo stations himself in the darkest corner under my bed, while my two will stay close to my every move.

Mother began her physical therapy yesterday. She wasn’t very impressed and said that an hour of the time she was gone was spent just sitting and waiting while the therapist had to leave and take care of some business in the front office. Plans are to add wheels to the front of her walker to make it easier for her to move with it. This should be very interesting to watch and I’m still leery about her falling and getting hurt again. One month of special attention to help her move around because she has forgotten how to get around and what will follow? BingoKid and I made a late visit to see her last night and she complained with her back giving a lot of pain problems.

There is work I need to do about with two of my online classes. The Memoir Class has some difficult goals that are hard to come face-to-face with. I’ll have to work with it later on my own when there is more time to devote to it. Genealogy has bunches of things for me to do and again, I need time to travel to the library for part of it and time to question family members for more information. I have emailed one of them requesting help, but so far, have not heard back. I learned that I can contact DAR and get copies of the work that is on file concerning two of my kinfolk. That will help, but one of them I have already noticed from what is on the Internet has some errors in what has been reported even among sisters.

Guess I have enough work to keep me busy for many a day and longer if I choose to tackle the things yet to challenge me. Which reminds me, Lady was here yesterday for a longer time as she cleaned and straightened up downstairs to make ready for Cotton and her friend to arrive in addition to the regular routine. She took time to put up some new valances in my bedroom which gives the room a whole new look along with the new comforter for the bed. Now to get more done in that room.

A call from school and Tbird asked me to pick up DynoKid because he wasn’t feeling well. BingoKid and I got over there around noon and he was waiting in the office. Before we got back home with him, he got sick on his stomach and threw up all over the seats in the car. Nothing in the car to clean him or the car with. I dared not turn his way because a whiff and I would be joining him. BingoKid rode the rest of the way home with his head out the window so as not to see or smell ... we left the car for Mom to clean up when she came later ... no my idea of an ideal day to say the least ... he slept all afternoon ...

Cotton called to say she was settled in for the weekend in a motel near Carolwinds in Charlotte. She will call tomorrow with details of the dog show in case anyone wants to come down to watch. Otherwise we will see her Sunday evening.

March 10, 2001 - All right! Whomever it may have been that put up the children and Charlie to being sick, it ain’t funny! First DynoKid and my car, next was Charlie Dog and my house. Yesterday was not the best day to hang around with me. Both of them looked pitiful with their sad eyes looking so guilty for being sick . I took Charlie to the vet this morning since it is the start of the weekend and how am I to know whether he will be better or keep getting worse. He is running a slight fever along with feeling on the puny side. The vet seems to think that he may be on another pancreatic spell, but that hopefully we are getting it in the early stage. No problem keeping food away from him today. He shows no interest in it. Tomorrow we get to try some boiled chicken and see how he reacts to it. He showed a weight loss this morning from just the other day when he was in the office for his rabies shot.

We discussed an interesting fact that the vet had noticed in treating another dog. It had low thyroid problems and a hair loss on its back such as Charlie has always had. When the thyroid was treated, the hair began filling in on his back. Another interesting fact was that the pancreas problem also could be related to the thyroid problem. In several weeks when Charlie is feeling better, we will test him and if his thyroid should be low, treating it may also take care of the pancreatic problem.

Tonight is another of our concerts at the Civic Center, which is centered on the talents of Caldwell County musicians. I’ve never been to this particular program, but it should be really good. General admission means we may not get our appointed seats upfront unless we decide to leave earlier in order to claim them as our own. So far, we haven’t decided. BingoKid will go over to Tbird’s for the night and spend tomorrow with them at church and home. Today he has been with Allan working on a yard in Hudson. They had quite a few holes to bore for plants being added to the landscaping and lots of fertilizer to spread on the grass.

I still have to go by the drugstore to get my medicine. I had none to take this morning , but they called yesterday to say it is ready for me. Mother is out of candy for her helpers and wants me to bring her some this afternoon. I wonder if I’ll have time to get around and do everything. Arrangements for meeting for breakfast needs to be confirmed with my aunt. I hope she is feeling up to going to church in the morning. Then, too, I’d like to , check online to see if any new posts are listed on the sites for my three classes. Best I get busy ...

March 11, 2001 - Sunday morning and it’s off to the dog races bright and early - early as in 6:30-ish a.m. Parking the Explorer over in the woods at Tbird’s, I climb into her van with the kids and we are off to Charlotte, to a spot a little past Carolwinds Theme park to watch the Dog Agility Trials for the day. They were supposed to begin at 8:30, but they were a little late beginning and we were a little late arriving. A space barely large enough to park beside the two tents housing the six dogs was waiting for us as we drove through searching for Cotton. Folding chairs in tow, we followed through on two different courses as the day progressed and the dogs showed what they could accomplish.

It’s about as much fun to watch the handlers do their “thing” before the actual trial begins as it is watching the events. Handlers are given a short time to walk through the course beforehand in order to get a feel of the different stations and their progression. They have to guide their dogs through the course as quickly as possible without making any mistakes. One wrong turn and any chances of earning points is lost. The best way to describe this time would be to have one think about an army of ants running around bumping into each other as they hunt for food and the trail back home. Add the arm movements used to direct the dogs through the maze and it becomes some sort of new dance step.

Only three of our six dogs took part in this event. The Afghan Hound was the only one to come back with a ribbon. Sega messed up at one point and Cotton gave a wrong signal to her at another time. Quest didn’t make it through without a fault as well. Of all the dogs taking part, it was interesting to see the span of sizes. Four different changes had to be made during one session in order to accommodate the smallest to the largest of the groups. At one point time out was taken for the owners to look at and make purchases of pictures taken the day Saturday during the day.

A windy, cold day without a cloud in the sky made for an enjoyable time. It was not too cold, but enough so we needed a jacket for much of the day. The children never tired of playing with the dogs and watching other dogs. Of course the boys came home wanting to train and run Charlie and Oreo. We saw no Yorkies, but there were about four papillons taking part and they did well.

All too soon it was all over and we were heading back toward the mountains. Cotton and her friend had driven down in separate vans because of the space needed for the crates carrying their dogs. We kept together as a caravan to the Cracker Barrel where we had lunch, they I had to go with Tbird to pick up my car before heading home. By the time I returned, Cotton and her crew were all unpacked and settled in for the week. (It’s going to be a busy week.)

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