Nature Songs ~~~~

SEPTEMBER, 2001 ~~ continued

September 6, 2001 - Yesterday was a whirlwind of fun and rejoicing activities. Foremost of the day happened not to me and not in a theatre, but in the courtroom. After more than three years, the judge made the only sensible decision possible for our little one. After hearing all the facts - one made unknowingly by her now husband that clearly placed the possible cause of injury on the natural mother - her parental rights were terminated. If she does not contest that decision he can be adopted in a short time. As it stands now she has one more visit with Buddy Boy in which to tell him goodbye.
Mixed emotions are felt by all of us inasmuch as we rejoice at the thoughts that he can remain a distinct part of our family. The album I spent so much time weaving together played a huge decision-maker component for Social Services. Even the judge commented on the pictures and the fact that Buddy Boy is clearly accepted and happy in the environment he now lives in. The poem written and placed on the backside of the front cover was removed by SS before the judge and other side viewed the pictures - but that’s okay. All those hours spent with searching, cutting and pasting were a labor of love and well worth the effort.

On the sad side of the coin, it was only after the final verdict was announced (she didn’t understand until her lawyer spoke to her) that the natural mother broke down and showed any emotions by crying and being visibly upset. Allan said he felt like going up and giving her a big hug to reassure her that Buddy Boy was in good hands, but knew that was not the time to go near. However, her husband only walked to the back of the room away from her and was standing out in the hall by himself when they left the courthouse while she was still in the front of the courtroom crying.

My day was most beautiful and fun-filled. We were a group of twenty-one on the bus and we laughed, talked, shopped, showed and sang our day away. Everyone of us were out for a true day of fun and fellowship. Our first stop of the day was in Asheville where we had a very little time for shopping. It was long enough for me to see a lovely purple outfit - perfect for a Red Hat Society Meeting! I have plenty of purple at home to wear, but this one was too good to leave hanging there on the rack at that price. Knowing how seldom I come on such a good buy and that later I may not get the three pieces again, I searched out my size. The top that I bought to use as a blouse or a jacket was the only one in my size! The pants were only fourteen dollars and the two tops were eighteen dollars each. Now for the Hat!!!!!

Lunch was an undeniable feast for me since I seldom get these foods. We ate at the S&W Cafeteria where I opted for seven layer salad, liver and onions, and a huge serving of coconut custard pie with water to drink. That was more than I could eat and I was amazed as others added more vegetables and bread to their choice of meat and salad - and ate it all.

The Village of Flat Rock and its Theatre - Flat Rock Playhouse - nestled back in a cove of the mountain was the real treat of the day. As quoted from North Carolina’s Governor, Michael Easley:

”The State Theatre of North Carolina provides top-quality entertainment and encourages the arts inn our community and throughout the State. It tradition of performing excellence has not only established Flat Rock Playhouse as one of the southeast’s finest theatres, but also has helped it become a major tourist destination in Western North Carolina.
Seasonal performances offer a range of entertainment appealing to individuals, families, schools and groups. The professionals who make up the Playhouse Company bring a wealth of experience from Broadway, film, television and other regional theatres. Each production is meticulously crafted on-site and every detail is attended to.
Its varied programs exemplify the Vagabond School of the Drama’s commitment to education. Training for college students is based on hands-on performance and design, working side-by-side with professionals. More than 300 students grades K-12 participate each year in after-school and weekend lasses. A full-time staff works with civic groups to provide workshops and educational forums in theatre and related arts.”

Thus, it truly was an experience to watch,
Stand by Your Man the Tammy Wynette Story. Superb! The sold out audience sat spellbound as Tammy’s Mother met her in heaven and helped her through those last few fleeting moments at death’s door when one’s life flies by. By far the magical touch was the Mother popping on and off the stage always with something unexpected to offer. A team of twelve magnificent actors/ multi-talented musicians swiftly changed costumes and roles to present an outstanding production. Saturday, they pack up from their premier production at Flat Rock Playhouse and move on to the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN, for the next presentation of “The First Lady of Country Music and a spokesperson for the soul. I suggest that anyone who has the opportunity should see this play.

Today was a drastic change of activities. I made it to exercise for the eight o’clock class this morning and it was most invigorating for me. This is the level I need. It was upbeat enough that I got a good workout, but at a speed I could keep up with. I felt bad that I didn’t get the opportunity to set up a schedule for taking along one of my friends that has asked to ride with me. I wanted to call her this evening, but as it turned out, I didn’t have a chance to call her. I hope we can get some type of schedule by next week - such as it is turning out to be.

There were eight messages awaiting my return Wednesday evening when I walked in the door at 8:25 p.m. Two of them were from the nursing home informing me of two appointments for Mother. She gets her bone scan on Tuesday with the injection at ten in the morning and the scan scheduled for one. Wednesday morning, I’m required to be with her to talk with the doctor in Hickory about her second opinion of what is going on with her gall bladder at ten thirty in the morning. There goes two days of exercise again.

Lady spun her magic on the den and craft rooms today in addition to her regular routine, she got some dusting and rearranging done for me along with some other things. She was here for six hours working and things look so much better. Before long, she will know this house better than I do.

Guess I can pretend I didn’t go to the Middle School today. I was asked to go get NascarKid and take him to Morganton to meet Mom, When I arrived and walked the halls to find where the after-school program was situated, I was informed that his Dad picked him up as a car rider! Seems, Dad’s plans were changed at the last moment so he called and had them change the game play at school. I didn’t back track from my dental appointment to my house between the two events and didn’t get the message.... oh, well, “This to shall pass....”

My tooth’s tiara was firmly attached and works perfectly. Another tooth was surprisingly filled without having to be numbed, which is a major achievement for me. The insurance payment came for the cleaning I had earlier and they paid all but two dollars of the total bill. Two dollars - wonder why they didn’t go ahead and pay that as well? Oh, well, I can’t complain. What’s two dollars compared to the $114 paid!!!

September 7, 2001 - Exercise - two days straight- I’m doing goooodddd! I had to hang around the house today in case a phone call was made by the man that has been working on the big truck. The universal has been rebuilt and is ready to go back on the truck. If he has time he said he would go pick up the repaired piece today so I would have to give him a check to pay for it. The call never came, but I got some rest in for the day. This is the first time is several years that I’ve not gone to Morganton to the Fall Historical Festival on opening day. Ms. Jay wanted to go, but I felt too tired to attempted even the smaller version of tomorrow’s busy streets. Guess she may have gone with her daughter. Tbird, the boys and I may go for a while tomorrow.

Another one of those stops at the drugstore for me. Seems like I am going every other day the way the computer picks up on my prescriptions. While there, I noticed that the pharmacist had a free moment so I had her pull up my account and delete a few of my meds from the automatic refill list. Some of them I take according to my needs such as right now I am not having to take the Methatrexate as often since the psoriasis is not as active as it is some times. I noticed that the small bottles of liquid sanitizer was on sale and picked up two bottles of it to keep in my Explorer and truck for those times I’m not near water to wash my hands. It’s very convenience to be able to wash hands while sitting inside the car while traveling.

I met Tbird at the hospital this afternoon so NascarKid could have his birthday CD he got to order that came this week. When I came back home, I heard a strange bark when the door was unlocked. It was a bark that had be thinking, “Hummmm, wonder when the dogs started mimicking Bingo? That’s strange.” Not so strange after all. When I walked into the house who would greet me, but Bingo! He was wagging his tail just as happily as the other two boys upon my arrival. A message from Wendy was left on the phone. She had decided to go to Highpoint for the weekend since Wes is working down there. The fall furniture market must be open now. The grandsons would have to be with their other grandmother for the weekend - and I got the dog ... Least ways he is easier to care for than the children happen to be.

Tbird is the keeper of children this weekend. She is keeping two extra boys along with her brood. If all goes well, we may all go to the Festival together for a while tomorrow. She’s to call me in the morning and let me know. I shouldn’t want to stay for very long. I doubt she would want to be there for long with the boys in tow and trying to see the displays simultaneously. Miss Giggles probably will tag along, too.. T’would be nice is she would ride in the stroller and allow me to push her along.

September 8, 2001 - The week raced by in another blur. I’ve tried taking some Benadryl several nights this week and it has helped me sleep better. Lady was telling me that the doctors working in Emergency have used it to help them sleep when they are overly tired and need to take a brief sleep. It has no lingering effect and is not habit forming. I tried it several nights and found that it does help.

Last night I didn’t take one and had one of those struggle dreams. I was back in school with kindergartners who actually were fifth graders. The class room was a very small section of a large room that housed six or sever different classes on different levels of learning. The teacher next to me had the same age class as I did, but neither of us had supplies to use and had to wing it. There was not even a schedule of the day available. Such weird dreams sometimes ... I’m still wondering how I made it through the long hallways, down long, steep, narrow stairs with a sharp turn at the bottom near the cafeteria. No room to pass, yet those finished with lunch had to pass going back up the steps as my class was being served their trays. Somehow there was another door in the classroom that opened up on a very busy sidewalk. The only way to the class was through the auditorium and to the right of the stage. Whoa ... there’s a fire escape along the left side of the auditorium leading to the buses... on and on went the craziness of the night.

My face hurts. It hurt yesterday. I don’t know if it is from the dentist working on me, or if it is the Fibro. I suspect the Fibro since is extends down into the jaws and back behind my ears on both sides. It’s up around my eyes and the top of my head, as well as down along my neck and into the right shoulder. I need several diversions to emerge myself into. One of them may be getting over to cut Mother’s hair today. I noticed it is quite long and ready for a major cut. Her nails are ready to be redone just I see my own nails are pass time to be pampered.
Time flies by and right now it is difficult for me to keep up with everything. More than likely I will not attempt meeting Mother at the hospital for her bone scan on Tuesday. I have an appointment that same afternoon to get my hair permed. There are those in this area who would love to be busy. The work force has been reduced because of the falling economy and unequal trade measures in textiles. Hickory has one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation right now. Things are not very bright for the future for many in this area . Quest employees had a going away dinner yesterday for four of their employees that are moving on become of hospital staff reduction due to the economy. Life is going to be hard for quite a few people as the cold months approach. According to the newspaper North Carolina has over 14,000 laid off in textiles, alone. That doesn’t begin to touch the furniture industry, fiber optics and other sundry. Many people are out of work.

I’m fortunate to be retired at this particular time. Possibly not too far down the road there is going to be a major overhaul of Medicare and Social Security programs due to increased usage over the past few years and future usage by the baby boomers age.

September 9, 2001 - Early Sunday morning - like 4 am. I got plenty of diversion yesterday afternoon. After lolling around for the morning, the afternoon made up for that laziness. Twas me that forgot I had been invited to the fashion show at Fashion Bug. Allie had two five dollar certificates and asked me to go with her. Turns out she forgot those certificates. Not to worry, the manager of the store slipped us each a ten dollar certificate to replace the ones she left home. Most of the models of the hour were school girls and they were prancing around the store practicing their moves and sporting the new outfits sporting the price tags dancing with every move and those magnetic bars shining brightly on the darker materials. Before the show officially began someone had tucked in the price tags

Before the show began, I bought two new outfits to wear for dress-up, such as church and the Civic Center programs. Both of them were on sale so even though I spent $60, I saved $42. I signed up for the bonus program and saved $7 more there. I seldom go to the Fashion Bug because every time I do, I spend money. Saturday was no different. Three outfits in four days was not in the budget or plans for this month.

No sooner was I back home and the phone rang. Tbird wanted me to meet up with her at Valdese Hospital parking lot and travel on to Morganton together for a quick survey of the Morganton Festival. Wow! Boy, was I good. We parked in a bank parking lot two blocks away and downhill from the activity of the festival. Walking was a breeze - no cane and I felt like another lost face in the sea of people enjoying hundreds of booths of goodies of all descriptions, and live music throughout the streets. The main music was bands featuring pan flutes which I could listen to for hours and hours. Beautiful music, which I now wish I had bought a CD for future indulgence. My money went elsewhere.

I owed the Quilter’s Guild for a tee shirt with the logo on it which they mailed to me. We were on the opposite side of the town. I sat in the shade of a tree along the sidewalk surrounding the courthouse square , listening to the music while Tbird and NascarKid walked over to the Jail House Museum Quilt Exhibit to give them my check for the shirt. DynoKid and his best friend got to play with some wooden guns on display near me. They shot rubber bands at aluminum pie pans and fell in love with the guns as I rested and we waited.

Ouch! My day for spend toooooo much money! It was one of those things you see and immediately know you have to have it. It has not value as far as being useful because I’m not about to place it outdoors to use for feeding birds. It would be beautiful placed in a garden surrounded with luscious green growth and flowers, birds tweeting as they flit from place to place. It’s also very beautiful on top of the table there at the window beside the front door in the entry of my house. I love it! It rode from Morganton to Valdese Hospital on my lap for safe travel. From there home, I placed it on the partial-filled bag of sunflower seeds in the back of my car so it would not be broken. We drove over closer to the booth where it was purchased to pick it up after we had taken time to eat at the new Uptown Restaurant. (Uptown’s new building is only two blocks from the space we went to several weeks back and found the whole block leveled in preparation for a skating arena.)

”IT” that I purchased was featured in the Southern Living magazine, August, 2000. Number 75 out of 1000 cast, the designer and maker who lives in Georgia signed and dated it for me and carried it to the car when we returned to pick it up. Finished in the bluish-gray and gold of the olden statues made of brass and tarnished with age, I now own a cherub angel girl standing about three feet tall with toes of one foot peeping out under the long skirt. She holds out a plate which could be used for birdseed if one was a-minded to place her outdoors. Her wings are so beautiful and she made the trip home with no mishaps. (I gave DynoKid some money to buy himself one of the guns he had been playing with earlier and a pretty good size bag of rubber bands was included.)

Stopping by the nursing center on the way home, I found that Mother was already settled in bed for the night at 7:30. She wanted to get up and have me do her haircut, but I assured her we would get it cut today and do her nails, too.

Today ... Ah ... I get to wear one of the new outfits to church - which one will it be? Probably the blue one ... Meanwhile, there’s Charlie snoozing away here beside me under the blanket with his tiny nose sticking out snug as he can be and happy. Bingo is back in the corner under the bed and I hear him grunting, licking and moving about. He sounds happy as well. Oreo? I’m not sure where he is. He could be back in the computer room, but more probably curled up on the burgundy blanket the kids left out on the couch in the den. Tis a happy home this morning.

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