"It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate
I am the captain of my soul" by William Ernest Henley
The last two days JR, our son and our nephew as well as my sister-in-law spent time at the garage sale of my in-laws. Not everything in the house was decided on and there is still lots to do with another "sale" in the future. I went down on Saturday and spent the day trying to get some more of the things decided on. Either it was put into the garage sale, thrown out or put aside for a later decision. The idea really is to handle everything only once. A great philosophy but hard to put into action when there are multiple people involved. After a very hot day in a house without air conditioning, I was ready for a relaxing evening with friends. After dinner we went to a friend's house and watched the movie "Invictus". A great movie to see if you have not already watched it. The poem above, I had read before and it was used (obviously) in the movie. It bears including the last stanza. I should note that the reason I did not "garage sale it" on Friday was that I was celebrating birthdays. No not mine but friends who are married and have birthdays the same day. We celebrated hers at lunch and then a surprise birthday party for him. He turned 80 and to be honest is the youngest 80 year old I know. Both are to be admired and aspired to be like.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Friday, June 25, 2010
GREAT SUMMER DAY
"What is one to say about June, the time of perfect young summer, the fulfillment of the promise of the earlier months, and with as yet no sign to remind one that its fresh young beauty will ever fade." Gertrude Jekyll
This has so far been an odd summer. Of course you realize that to me summer starts the first week of June not June 21. I feel as though I have not taken advantage of my favorite season. Yesterday however was a great day. To be honest, I did not do much in the morning. I went to see "Sex In The City 2" in the afternoon. John wanted to go to a concert in the park in the evening and at first I thought no but then realized that summer was slipping away and it was the perfect night. We went to the Music in the Park and it was great. The temperature perfect and a slight wind to keep the mosquitoes away. My only problem was that ants kept crawling up my leg (ugh). We went across the street and picked up cheeseburgers to go, sat in our folding chairs and listened to the music. This is what summer is about. It was the second of the series and so I need to remember to go to a few more. We figured there were about 250-300 people there total although the crowd ebbed and flowed as the evening progressed.
This has so far been an odd summer. Of course you realize that to me summer starts the first week of June not June 21. I feel as though I have not taken advantage of my favorite season. Yesterday however was a great day. To be honest, I did not do much in the morning. I went to see "Sex In The City 2" in the afternoon. John wanted to go to a concert in the park in the evening and at first I thought no but then realized that summer was slipping away and it was the perfect night. We went to the Music in the Park and it was great. The temperature perfect and a slight wind to keep the mosquitoes away. My only problem was that ants kept crawling up my leg (ugh). We went across the street and picked up cheeseburgers to go, sat in our folding chairs and listened to the music. This is what summer is about. It was the second of the series and so I need to remember to go to a few more. We figured there were about 250-300 people there total although the crowd ebbed and flowed as the evening progressed.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
AND THE BEAT GOES ON
"Vistors' footfalls are like medicine; they heal the sick."
Bantu Proverb
And the beat goes on (literally and thankfully). While I do post on the blogs my shared feelings and thoughts, I am normally reticent when it comes to serious things and the unknown and uncontrolled. I found myself in that position when after John tore his meniscus and had an appointment for his arthoscopic surgery, he flunked his pre-op EKG. So last week found us at the hospital while John had a cardioversion. His irregular heartbeat got back on track and now we await a stress test and then a decision on the surgery. You have to understand that he is not the one who should have problems. I reserve that right. I do not like that he is vulnerable to the realities of life. His parents continue to adjust to their independent living surroundings. We all continue to try to clear out their house and distribute their possessions. It is not an easy task and I really have no voice in any of it. I try to help with the logistics and organization part but for the most part have to keep quiet. I am going to be sitting tomorrow with a friend who has leukemia and is receiving her monthly chemo treatment. It is just for 3 hours. On another sad note another friend is facing a long fight against cancer. This is in the form of a brain tumor. Other than prayer and positive thoughts there is not much I can do since they do not live close. I have not really played golf. My game is terrible and I have no heart for it. Yesterday while having my teeth cleaned, my hygienist said that her 90 year old father still shoots 45 for 9 holes. Yikes!! Right now I cannot shoot 45 for 9 holes. I think I need an attitude adjustment. I am just a bit too down. This Father's Day is going to be a bit tough for me. Normally I deal with the loss of my father and Father's Day without any problem. This year however it comes on the same day as the 2nd anniversary as my mother's death. I just feel a little melancholy. It will pass and I think that when I can get past the day my dark attitude will lift.
Bantu Proverb
And the beat goes on (literally and thankfully). While I do post on the blogs my shared feelings and thoughts, I am normally reticent when it comes to serious things and the unknown and uncontrolled. I found myself in that position when after John tore his meniscus and had an appointment for his arthoscopic surgery, he flunked his pre-op EKG. So last week found us at the hospital while John had a cardioversion. His irregular heartbeat got back on track and now we await a stress test and then a decision on the surgery. You have to understand that he is not the one who should have problems. I reserve that right. I do not like that he is vulnerable to the realities of life. His parents continue to adjust to their independent living surroundings. We all continue to try to clear out their house and distribute their possessions. It is not an easy task and I really have no voice in any of it. I try to help with the logistics and organization part but for the most part have to keep quiet. I am going to be sitting tomorrow with a friend who has leukemia and is receiving her monthly chemo treatment. It is just for 3 hours. On another sad note another friend is facing a long fight against cancer. This is in the form of a brain tumor. Other than prayer and positive thoughts there is not much I can do since they do not live close. I have not really played golf. My game is terrible and I have no heart for it. Yesterday while having my teeth cleaned, my hygienist said that her 90 year old father still shoots 45 for 9 holes. Yikes!! Right now I cannot shoot 45 for 9 holes. I think I need an attitude adjustment. I am just a bit too down. This Father's Day is going to be a bit tough for me. Normally I deal with the loss of my father and Father's Day without any problem. This year however it comes on the same day as the 2nd anniversary as my mother's death. I just feel a little melancholy. It will pass and I think that when I can get past the day my dark attitude will lift.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
CLOSE CALL
"No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent"
John Donne
Last Saturday night as everyone knows Northwest Ohio was struck by several F4 tornadoes. To be honest, it was very close to us. At one point the news was stating that there were "rotations" basically on the other side of the lake from us. Now granted, rotations are not funnel clouds, just funnel cloud want-a-bees. Still it was a bit too close for comfort. We heard the tornado sirens at 11:00 or 11:30 pm but never heard the one at 2-ish in the morning. That is a scary thought. Our thoughts and prayers go out to those affected by this catastrophe. The outpouring of volunteerism and compassion from the community has been wonderful and inspiring. On a more positive note John's mother is not diagnosed with multiple myeloma and so the week ended with some good news.
John Donne
Last Saturday night as everyone knows Northwest Ohio was struck by several F4 tornadoes. To be honest, it was very close to us. At one point the news was stating that there were "rotations" basically on the other side of the lake from us. Now granted, rotations are not funnel clouds, just funnel cloud want-a-bees. Still it was a bit too close for comfort. We heard the tornado sirens at 11:00 or 11:30 pm but never heard the one at 2-ish in the morning. That is a scary thought. Our thoughts and prayers go out to those affected by this catastrophe. The outpouring of volunteerism and compassion from the community has been wonderful and inspiring. On a more positive note John's mother is not diagnosed with multiple myeloma and so the week ended with some good news.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
GARDENS
"Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they're supposed to help you discover who you are." Bernice Johnson Reagon
It is the first week of June and we are just getting the flowers planted in the garden. It has rained so much plus with other things going on that there has been no time (and I even have help). We are putting Knockout Roses in two beds. One will replace the geraniums we have been planting every year and the other bed had some bedraggled roses that we are transplanting to the front and replacing them with Knockout Roses. Hopefully it will look great. Hopefully I will be able to publish the photos next posting. There has not been much golf since the Mr. has a bum knee and the two days worth of tournament golf was cancelled due to - suprise! - RAIN. It is most likely for the best as my game is still in the tank.
It is the first week of June and we are just getting the flowers planted in the garden. It has rained so much plus with other things going on that there has been no time (and I even have help). We are putting Knockout Roses in two beds. One will replace the geraniums we have been planting every year and the other bed had some bedraggled roses that we are transplanting to the front and replacing them with Knockout Roses. Hopefully it will look great. Hopefully I will be able to publish the photos next posting. There has not been much golf since the Mr. has a bum knee and the two days worth of tournament golf was cancelled due to - suprise! - RAIN. It is most likely for the best as my game is still in the tank.
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