Whirlwind

My mind is in a whirl. The last week has been filled with so many images and ideas. It was great to get the family together before Fran moved to Helena. We talked and talked. And then it was over. All of us is coping with some ailment or other, but we're still alive and kicking! Thanks to the next generation, we had this opportunity to get together. I salute you, Jeff and Sherry.

Then on Sunday we drove to Buffalo to pick up Naomi's pooch from Bed and Bone. The barking there is unbelievable. Luckily the establishment is out in the country or the neighbors would definitely have a reason to complain. He was his usual urbane self and we headed to I94 at Monticello and then on up to Evansville. A few miles north of Monticello it started to rain and we noticed an ominoous cloud to the South. I mentioned it looked just like the wall cloud Fran and I drove through a few years ago. We drove on home with no particular difficulty and then heard on the news that we had just missed a tremendous hail storm and tornadoes. Oofta. I hope Bed and Bone weathered the storm ok. Hugo had a tremendous tornado touchdown with a small child killed. Hugo is just north of the Twin Cities. Coon Rapids also suffered some and Parkersburg in Iowa had 7 deaths.

El Perro is doing fine. He is quite mellow and seems to be resting after his arduous time with all the other dogs. Naomi and Amy are having a great time in Spain. It is a tremendously challenging adventure as they walk many miles each day over very rough terrain. They start out early in the morning and walk up to 20 miles until early in the afternoon. They settle into a place that I suppose is like a hostel, and then find a place to check into the Internet if possible. We have heard almost every day from them via e-mail which is a great comfort. Nay has had a bad knee and Amy has had a killer cold, but they are soldiering on and hope to make the walk in the prescribed time period... so they can catch their flight to Madrid. (At least that is how I understand it!)

I will soon have new glasses and two hearing aids. Watch out world! Take care.

A man is beside me!

Jeff is sitting beside me but his mother, Fran, is in the other room talking up a storm. I am trying to show Jeff how the magic of blogging operates.

Of course, as you all know, my long suit is showing everyone what to do!!!

Take care.

The new me

I have had quite a week. I will soon be all remade and be able, not only to see, but also to hear! I have ordered new "stylin'" eyeglasses with the help of KW. I have also ordered hearing aids for both ears.

George went with me and we met with the ear guy. He explained that I didn't suddenly lose so much hearing but that the coping skills I had developed finally had reached their limit to make sense of what I was hearing. So we will see how it goes. He said I could probably hear vowel sounds but not distinguish the consonants. I know that when I watch "Wheel of Fortune" I don't know what letter has been said until Vanna puts it on the board.

My family will be overjoyed now if it turns out I don't have to have the TV on so loud! John has cat-like hearing and the loudness hurts his ears I am sure. The reason I am sure is that he heaved a sigh of relief when I told him I was getting hearing aids! I am excited!

I am trying to get ready for our family get-together. It will be such a wonderful time!

Take care.

Hi Ho

I find that I begin my e-mails (in the subject slot) with hi ho. I didn't realize how annoying that was until I tried to find a specific sent e-mail, and there they were... hundreds (well, not hundreds - but many) of e-mails where the only specification was hi ho. Good luck finding any specific information.

I keep waiting for more comments on the last blog, but I guess the proverbial "when hell freezes over" covers the chances for more comments. I also like to have a picture to go with my blog and I can't decide what to include. Perhaps you could give me ideas of the kind of pictures I could use. As you all know, I aim to please.

I am anticipating our mini family reunion soon. My sister and her son and my brother, his wife and their daughter will soon be here. I am all aflutter. What a thrilling occasion. Hopefully we will be up to the marathon talking that will be taking place. My sister, brother and I are inveterate talkers and all others just have to listen to us. Wahoo. Should be fun for us... I don't know about the others.

Naomi is busy walking in Spain. I hope her legs hold up. If they can actually achieve their goals (and I am sure they will) they will be in awesome shape when they return.

Take care.

Wow times two!

How about that for taking your ease! We came back to Naomi's apartment to find JYY taking his ease in the bed. How cute is that?

Today is the day N starts on her trip to Spain. Oofta. I just got a call from her and she is already to go but is at loose ends as she doesn't need to go for another hour! Talk about efficiency! JYY is off to Bed and Bone for a couple of weeks, after which George and I will have him.

By the way, Fran, after your discription of my painting I wonder if the rule of double negatives applies? Two negatives make a positive. If that is true you must really love the painting and I know now what to give you for your birthday! Lucky you!

I am catching a cold, so I will follow my usual rule and hit the deck for a couple of days. Drink lots of liquids and take lots of vitamin C. I seem to be existing on the deck now, so I don't know if the rule really applies. My lack of energy is the pits. Ah, well, spring will soon have sprung and summer is a great energy booster!

Take care.

wadya think?

Well, folks. ... which do you prefer? Rotten Pears or this version, called Putrid Pears. I await your votes!

The weather today is beautiful. Sunny and mild breezes. I took a meander up to Battle Lake and everything is springing up! Wahoo.

Take care.

Well, finally....

The sun is shining brightly.

This is the rotten pear picture as I found it. I have since done a bit to it so you will have a chance to comment on which version you prefer. (or none?)

We went to St. Paul to visit Naomi and had a fun time. I got a hair cut. We visited Fran. She got to see Naomi's apartment. I found the book we're reading in book club at a second hand book store. "Light a Penny Candle" by Maeve Binchy. I am just beginning to read it and it is very charming. All in all a fun time!

Now I am at home and trying to get up enough energy to go shopping for glasses. KW? When should we go? She promises me we can find me some cute ones. I want cheap but cute. Do you suppose that is possible? Or is cute always more expensive. We will see. I promise a picture when it is all accomplished.

Take care.