2022 Comes to an End!

For days I've been trying to sit and write, but mostly to wish everyone a Happy and Joyous Holiday before it's over! After being set up as children to expect such wonderful things at Christmastime, I think as adults it's difficult (if not impossible) to "feel" the holiday as much as we think we should. I started out just planning to get through it (wait it out!), but over time, especially with friends, I've gotten more into the spirit.

Today we have a storm passing through, though it isn't as severe as I expected.....just dark and rainy. Up until now, we have had absolutely wonderful weather. Even the dark days have been warm enough to get by with just a light jacket at best. Usually, after a storm like this, it drops us down a few degrees, so we may go from the 70s to the 60s. I'm okay as long as the nights don't get into the 30s (our houses aren't built for that) and the days are sunny!

Thanksgiving was quiet but bountiful with food and friends. We vegetarians, Chris and I, got together for lunch with the intention of making it as easy as possible. We got a delicious mushroom roast, green beans, and Scarlet pie (Yum!) from Whole Foods. Chris added a cauliflower cheese casserole and I did sweet potatoes. All of that for two people!! Everything was tasty and we had leftovers for days.

Jo, Chris, and Karen

Speaking of Chris, as you can see from the photo, she is doing well and making steady progress. Her sisters visited for about a week and they wasted no time in getting her up and out of the house, which had to be a real treat for Chris. Her sister Karen is a nurse so she knew what to do and how to go about it. They also flung open the blinds, put on the Christmas music, commandeered the kitchen, and had Lynn, Tom, and me over for dinner one night. It was both delightful and delicious. They have a great sense of humor and it was fun to hear the sisterly banter! During their visit, Chris had her doctor's appointment and got the nod to begin putting weight on the leg. At her next physio appointment, he had her on the walker and walking from her kitchen to the bedroom twice. There will be no stopping her now! A huge "Thank you" to Jo and Karen for a fun evening and the boost they gave Chris.

The photo above and the ones to the left were taken on the same day, December 3rd. I point that out only to confirm our beautiful weather. While Chris was gallivanting around the beach, Tippy and Kieran invited me to join them for an outdoor concert in HHP. Of course, it began with food - lunch at our favorite spot, Olive and Fig. The day could not have been better and there was a great turnout for the concert. The HH Big Band was situated between the tents in the bottom photo. We were across the street slightly to the right of the band and an even larger group of people was directly across from them. The music, along with 2 vocalists, was surprisingly good. I think everyone wanted to be outside on such a nice day, which made it great for people-watching, too. Thanks to T and K for thinking of me!

The three of us along with Rhonda went to see Educating Rita by The Lean Ensemble (Sunday matinee). I really enjoyed it and now would like to see the movie again. The other oldie I'd like to see is Love Actually. Diane Sawyer did an interview with the cast, all of whom I find likable. I'd love to see the movie again before watching the interview. 

I've also run across some interesting books (audiobooks)  lately. Grace popped up on my reserve list and it didn't even ring a bell! It is written by Cody Keenan, President Obama's main speechwriter, and the process itself was enlightening. The audiobook was read by the author, who had his oven Obama voice when quoting the President. It was also interesting to see how Obama worked with his staff. I found it enjoyable and enlightening. Another is Madly, Deeply, the diaries of Alan Rickman. While I have to skip through it because the diary style becomes a bit repetitive, his manner, analysis, humor, articulation, and the people he comes in contact with, etc. are so interesting! He definitely has a way with words! And finally, The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man, a compilation of oral interviews by and about Paul Newman. While hearing his own analysis of certain aspects of his life, I'm still unsure of how I feel about him as a person......still very interesting. Anything interesting you would recommend??

Since it is Christmas, this is my gift to myself - a new, real coffee maker! I have been getting no satisfaction with my morning coffee (Mr. Coffee), so I checked with Wirecutter of the NYT. Of course, their best recommendations were $300-$400, which wasn't going to happen. That's not Donna! But, they also happened to have a lower-priced recommendation, which was this one, a Ninja. This was my second morning with it and I can tell a difference - my coffee is better! I've also treated myself to a short subscription to the Atlas Coffee Club and should be receiving coffees from around the world. Now, I'm up from about 1/2 cup in the morning to 2 full cups! Is that good or bad? 

I'm also going to treat myself to new glasses. In a way, I hate to spend the money because my distance vision is so good since my cataract surgery, but my near vision is crap and everything I have to do within arms reach requires searching for or getting out glasses. And then there is a separate pair of sunglasses. I'm going to get what I'm used to (and like) - the all-in-one kind that is worn all the time. That will make like easier and less bothersome.

Look what popped up on Facebook not too long ago! That's my sweet Rosie! I can assure you she did NOT "love" being at the vet! This was obviously taken when she was in to have her teeth cleaned. Thankfully, all went well and she does appear to feel better.

I have to tell you about our neighbors and our walks, even though I'm sure I've told you before. This past week, we were walking and a neighbor a couple of houses up passed by in their car and waved. When we got to their house, they were waiting for us! They said they had been looking for us since they hadn't seen us in a while, which I thought was so sweet. As we chatted, Rosie got the zoomies and another passerby stopped his car and said he'd never seen Rosie move that fast!! That kind of thing happens all the time. Another day, a couple had stopped (in their car) to chat, when my cleaning ladies also stopped their car, got out, and came over to love Rosie! We're so lucky to have such sweet and welcoming neighbors.

Rather than boring you with my tired Christmas decorations, I'm going to bore you with my tree ornaments. Seeing them once a year is about the only thing that motivates me to put up a tree at all, but I do love seeing them and remembering where, when, with whom, or by whom they arrived on the tree. It also has to be one of the most eclectic trees around!

I hope your holiday is full of love, peace, and joy!

Merry Christmas!

The Holidays Are Upon Us!

10/27/22: After posting last time, I had lunch and headed to the poll to vote. My plan was to take Rosie with me, zip in to vote, and then head to the park for our afternoon walk. Well, I couldn’t find a parking spot in the lot and the line to vote was out the door and halfway down the walk. So, Plan B became taking Rosie to the park by the May River for our walk. Then, take her home and head back to vote, which is what I did. It was a lovely afternoon and I stood outside for about an hour before getting in to vote. It all went smoothly, though I didn’t know whether or not to be encouraged. When I left, the line was the same length as when I arrived. They always say a good turnout benefits Democrats, but in SC that isn’t likely. I hope other states make up the difference. By the time I post again, we will know the outcome…..

11/8/22: We continue to have fabulous weather. The mornings are in the low 70s by the time Rosie and I get out for our walk. It really has been glorious. Today it was breezy, probably blowing in the storm that is brewing in the Bahamas.

Well, today is the day we find out who we are as a nation! It is difficult to believe we are where we find ourselves, with a large portion of us willing to sacrifice it all (burn it down) for their own personal satisfaction. Rhonda is coming over and we are going to Drinking Liberally. It will be dark by 5:30 and we will be back here by about 6 PM, just before the polls close. It will be a long night and I’m going to try to stay up – I didn’t like waking up to the news that trump had won and I don’t want to experience that again!!

11/20/22: As time has passed, I feel better about the election than I did immediately thereafter. Compared to previous mid-term results, the Biden administration faired well. I do wish we had not lost the House as it would allow Democrats to pass some important legislation (primarily voting rights, women’s health choices, etc). Even so, Congress has been able to accomplish more than most thought possible, so maybe that trend will continue. The republicans have already told us how they will spend their time and taxpayers’ money – their usual retribution, blame, and vengeance….such noble Christian values! God help us!

As if the election wasn’t enough, throw in another hurricane! As with the last one, we had minimal negative effects from it. I hope the season will be over as November comes to an end. The storm did bring a change in our weather with nighttime temperatures dropping much lower and daytime now in the low 70s or high 60s, all of which I can cope with as long as the sun is shining!

There is lots of good news to report about Chris. As of the 11th, she has been home. Before that, she went home for part of two days when she had scheduled people to come in and prepare the house for her return - remove some doors so the wheelchair could get through, lower her bed so she could transfer herself from the chair to the bed, change AC filters, etc. On the day of her doctor's appointment, she was all packed up and had her belongings in the transport van so they could drop her off at home if the doctor gave the word....and he did! So, after 2 months, she is home! I can only imagine her relief. I was amazed at the calmness, patience, and determination with which she handled it all. She is getting therapy at home and making steady improvements. She's now able to stand long enough to reach things in the cupboard, get into bed without the slide board, etc. It won't be long before she'll be up and about, and friends are cheering her on!

I told Chris about the photo collage you see here. From time to time, my phone will show memories from certain years, etc. One day it popped up lots of photos of Chris and me (usually involving food!) and the last frame was this collage. It was just a nice surprise so I saved it. I hope we will be dining out again soon!

Tom, Chris, and Tippy have birthdays in November and we all assembled at Chris' to celebrate. Lynn made a delicious cake and I provided prosecco. It was great to be able to get together outside of the assisted living facility and we all enjoyed it.

I recently attended a Liberal Ladies dinner at Belfair Country Club. Tippy was to pick me up but there was a traffic accident that blocked traffic off the island for hours and there were quite a few empty seats at each table. In any case, it gave Sally and me a chance to catch up. One thing I learned from Sally is that she and a neighbor of mine went to the Women's March in 2016. Of course, Tippy and I went but I didn't know Sally at that time and don't recall seeing her. it's just one more thing we have in common and it was great to catch up.

My little girl has had a rough week. I took her to the vet last week because she just was not herself for about 3 days - not eating much, lots of licking and smacking her lips, grimacing, etc. I was afraid it was her back but, thankfully, the vet didn't think so. He did bloodwork and all was well so he thought she was experiencing nausea. He gave her a shot and sent meds for four days home with her. She seemed better but I noticed that when she ate she was still doing the licking and smacking. When she got her shots in March, the vet said she would need her teeth cleaned within the coming year. I registered that and was going to have it done in February when they offer it at a reduced rate. After showing the vet a video of her eating, he recommended going ahead with it. It was an all-day thing with me dropping her off at 7:45 and picking her up at 4PM - and that doesn't include me waking up at 4AM and spending the rest of the morning dreading the day for both of us! They pulled 5 little teeth, four in the upper front and one on the side. He said they were so loose that he didn't have to use a drill or suture anything. He didn't even send her home with pain meds! I can see where the front teeth would have been very bothersome and possibly painful. In any case, she ate when we got home, got a good night's sleep, and I do believe she feels better. That little girl is 8 years old and it makes me sad to think of her aging!

The End of the Year Flies By!

9/30/22: We made it safely through the night and with the passing of time, hurricane Ian has moved away from us. It looks like it will make landfall closer to Myrtle Beach, and we are also on the weaker side of the storm. Just listening to the wind and rain, I didn’t sleep well last night, but it wasn’t threatening, nor is it now (noon). That could change over the next few hours as the storm makes land. Even so, it looks like we’ve faired well compared to Florida! Things will probably be back to normal tomorrow. Many thanks to all who touched bases and sent good wishes. I really appreciate your thoughtfulness and am happy to have good news to report.

Rosie likes the leaves, too!

10/26/22: So much time has passed and I’m not sure where it has gone. That seems to be typical for this time of the year – the last three months just fly by! I’m happy to report that we are having glorious weather. As I look at the next 10-day forecast, the temperatures are in the mid-70s, sunny and bright. The mornings are cooler and crisp, but by mid-day, it warms up nicely. The leaves are falling and I often think we clean the years too quickly - I like to see the fallen leaves!  It really is a wonderful time of year.

Chris's first decent cup of coffee in weeks!

Lots to catch you up on with Chris. She was in the nursing facility for two weeks when they decided she needed to see an orthopedist for her leg, which was not improving. She saw him on Monday and had surgery on Tuesday – she had a break in her leg as well as her arm!! It was outpatient surgery and she returned to the facility where care continued to be minimal! She was told not to put weight on her leg until she saw the doctor again in two weeks. At that time, he told her to keep weight off it for another 6 weeks!! Her insurance company also informed her that she would have physical therapy for a certain amount of time and suggested she wait until she could put weight on the leg. In any case, Chris has worked to be able to transfer herself from bed to wheelchair to toilet so that she could move to the assisted living side of the facility. She has been able to do that, which is a vast improvement in every respect.  She has a spacious room and bathroom, both of which are easily wheelchair accessible. There is a little kitchenette and she has installed her personal coffeemaker! The move has made life more livable and Chris has been stoic throughout. Even so, it is a long, slow journey and I’m sure Chris is eager for life to get back to normal.

Chris's sisters kindly sent Lynn and me a sweet thank-you note, delicious Pittsburg chocolates, and very generous gift certificates to Olive and Fig and Barnes and Noble. It was unexpected and unnecessary, but it certainly was appreciated. They plan to come down as soon as Chris is able to go home. They would have come much earlier but there is little they can do at this point. I'm sure Chris will appreciate their time and attention once she's home. I thank them for their thoughtfulness.

What have I been doing in the meantime? Not a whole heck of a lot! I have continued my walking routine and have walked every day this month with the exception of three. I usually walk Rosie, have a quick breakfast, and then head out for my walk. On my way home, I run any errands I need to do, so all of that is taken care of by 10:30ish.

On this particular day (see below), I was meeting Tippy for lunch and walked at Jarvis Creek beforehand. Before I picked her up, she was hosting a group of ladies to write postcards encouraging people to vote. I got there just as they were finishing up. We went to a new ramen place, which was very trendy, modern, and tasty. It was also nice enough that we could dine outside. We’ve already made plans to dine there again. We always seem to get together over food – just yesterday morning we met up at First Watch for our catch-up before she and Kieran are off to the mountains. Our favorite waitress was there and took us to our usual spot. There is something really comforting  about a well-worn routine, especially when good food is involved!

 

My neighbor is at it again! Her Halloween displays began on October 1st and change each week. I'm not really into Halloween but I do enjoy her humor and enthusiasm.

 

After working with Democrats here in the Crescent and meeting Tippy's postcard group, I actually received one of the postcards! Our local Indivisible has sent 10,000 out encouraging people to vote. The Democratic Clubs have done the same, and I hope it makes a difference. I feel very anxious about this election and fear that our whole democratic process is at stake. It is difficult to believe that we are at this point and that 1/3 of us are willing to risk it all in exchange for being able to express their hatred and hostility openly and boldly. I will be happy when the is election over and I hope it is a sound rejection of those behaviors and policies. Either way, I am going to make a concerted effort to step away from politics/news/etc. for a while and look for other more comforting ways to fill my time. I have already resigned from the Board of Lowcountry Coalition Against Hate and will do so with other groups after the election. I hate to leave LCAH as it was one of the more diverse groups I've worked with and I will miss the people; but, I am wrung out and need a break.

Friends in Need

David gave me this cute popup bouquet!

9/16/22: Today has been a day of helping friends, which I am happy to do. In this case, both were medical issues and it made me very appreciative of good health. At 11 AM, I sprang David from a rehab center that he was anxious to leave – in my opinion maybe too anxious for his own well-being. I wondered if he had thought it through and whether it was going to be as easy to look after himself as he thought. He wouldn’t hear of my objections so I picked him up and took him to his place. This all came about when about 10 days ago he went in for what he thought would be laparoscopic hernia surgery; however, it turned into real, full surgery. So he went from thinking he would be in hospital for two nights before going home to spending almost a week in hospital before going to a rehab center. You can imagine that I was very thankful NOT to be in his situation.

Then I had just gotten in from Rosie’s walk around 3PM when Chris called. Chris and I are texters, so when I received a call I knew something was up. She was on a ladder trimming shrubbery and took a fall that hurt her shoulder. When she called me, she was on her way to the hospital in an ambulance!! She sounded calm and her concern was for Ivana, her timeshare cat. Ivana spends her days with Chris and her evening with a neighbor, living the life of Riley!! I guess with the unusual activity of an ambulance, etc., Chris was unable to coax her outside before leaving for the hospital. So, I went over to see if I could get her outside. She has responded to me well in the past, but when I first went in, she was nowhere to be seen. I then opened the door to the porch and in a few seconds, she appeared at the bedroom door. She wouldn’t come to my call so I just went onto the porch and sat down to wait. Pretty soon she appeared. Well, the ladder that Chris fell from was still in the backyard and she immediately knew that it was something she wasn’t used to. She nestled down low and carefully surveyed the yard. She did not like that ladder! I went outside and moved it out of the way, but by that time the next-door neighbor started mowing his yard! I just propped the door open and gave her time to move forward slowly and eventually, she headed toward her second home as only a cat can – down low and moving stealthily. I have to say that the ladder gave me a start as well. If Chris was near the top, she had a big fall! At this point, I’m back home and waiting to hear from Chris in case she needs a ride home from the hospital. I hope she won’t have to stay overnight and that it isn’t anything seriously wrong. I also know she wants to be home tomorrow morning when Ivana shows up again!

All of this serves to remind me of how fortunate I am to have good health (and no serious accidents). In that vein, I’ve convinced myself that I can walk 30 minutes a day 5 days a week! To most of you, that sounds like a dottle but for me, it’s a big thing. I’ve always been amazed at my UK friends who seem compelled to exercise! It never crosses my mind and is totally alien to my nature! The other thing, which I will shamefully confess, is that I can’t walk out the front door for a walk and leave Rosie looking out the window after me! So, I drive to Lowcountry Presbyterian Church and walk in their large, shaded parking lot. If I drive away, Rosie won’t be looking out the window the entire time I’m gone. So far, I’ve walked all but 2 days this month and it isn’t so bad. I’ve even done it right after walking Rosie and having breakfast, which really isn’t like me – but, it seems to be working and I hope I can keep it up. It’s also interesting to learn that there are others using the church parking lot as I am – a couple who walks their little doggie, a jogger, another walker, etc.

9/27/22:

Chris before her accident!

It continues to be a busy time with friends. Lynn and I have rotated trying to keep an eye on Chris and see that she has what she needs. She was in the hospital for about 3 days or so. Since the accident happened on a Friday, not much happened over the weekend except for necessary tests. She has broken her arm and has extensive soft tissue damage, being unable to put any weight on her left leg (and her right leg!). Early in the week, she was transferred to a nursing facility where it all fell apart! The care was rough. Therapy and treatment came together very slowly. Even getting a shower was difficult, and when she did get one, she was left in the shower for about 20 minutes! The request for a vegetarian menu seemed totally alien to them and consisted of whatever was on the regular menu without the meat – one day when I was there, that was a scoop of mashed potatoes and a spoonful of corn! The next day I took her some of my meager, homemade soup and we have plans to Thai-one-on tomorrow! Finally, yesterday she met with the physical therapist, the occupational therapist, and the doctor. She is supposed to get PT and OT five days a week, which will be a major improvement. To add insult to injury (literally) she has been told by various staff to “suck it up” and they “don’t have time for that S*!t”!!  Absolutely amazing….and frightening!

Photo from Tippy's first surgery!

In the midst of that, Tippy had her second shoulder replacement surgery. I didn’t see her until Sunday when I picked up our favorite dishes from First Watch and took them over for breakfast. I knew Kieran would take good care of her and she was in good spirits. Unfortunately, she reported much the same experience in the hospital as Chris had at the nursing home! All of that is frightening for folks our age. In any case, she is doing well, which is a relief.

From a previous visit.

I did devote one day to the Queen’s funeral, which was impressive.No one does pomp and
ceremony better! I held up well until the piper was on the balcony and then turned and walked into the distance!!   I felt I was experiencing something historic and that we were losing a stabilizing force in this unstable time. 

I also had my mammogram and a bone density test, and for fun, Rhonda C came over for pizza on Friday. We always tackle the major problems of the day – if only anyone would listen to us! AND, I’ve walked all but 6 days this month, which is amazing for me! I’m even beginning to enjoy it.

 

I owe Rhonda T and Bryan an apology. Rhonda sent an email asking friends to bomb Bryan’s mailbox on his special birthday. Upon receiving the request, Rosie and I took some selfies with the intention of making it into a birthday card. Needless to say, I did not have time. So, Bryan, we wish you a belated and heartfelt Happy Birthday! I hope you celebrated well!💖

 

The only other thing to report is that the mornings have gotten cooler and even Rosie has picked up her pace. It really is pleasant to have the heat of summer behind us. I ordered these little “votingbluerocks” to distribute in strategic places as we do our walks. If you live in a red state like SC, almost any place you leave them is a strategic location! I just thought it was a clever idea...and they're free. They also send instructions for making your own.

9/29/22: Yesterday and today have been devoted to hurricane Ian preparation. We have been told (until just recently!) that it would be a tropical storm by the time it reaches us. Just now I have heard that it may be a Hurricane I! Basically, it's too late to evacuate, so it will be what it will be. It was already cool and gusty this morning when I walked Rosie, to the point of some gusts scaring her. It hasn't started raining yet so we may be able to do our afternoon walk, too. Tomorrow we may be hunkered down for much of the day. I have Apple Coconut Oatmeal in the crock pot and the house smells great, so we are as ready as we can be. I am eager to hear from Florida friends - Cheryl and Phil, Kathy, Nancy, Jim and Anthony - and hoping they got through it safely and without much damage. Here's hoping for the best!

I did have one nice thing happen yesterday when a new neighbor and her husband stopped by to ask if I need help with anything - putting outside furniture away, etc. That was very thoughtful and made my day. 

Take care, Everyone.

Stay safe and well!

Sandi's Visit and More

 8/29/22: It’s a dark rainy morning/day so a good time to catch up on blog news. As you view the photos in this entry, no doubt you will notice the overcast sky! It has been this way much of the summer.

 I barely posted the last entry before Sandi arrived. Tippy and I met Sandi on our second Africa trip and have been in contact since. She lives in Decatur, GA which makes getting together easier. She stayed with Tippy for two nights and with me two, and you can imagine who was thrilled to have two friends around the house – Rosie! She was in her element!

 We showed Sandi the usual things that visitors see when here – a rainy day in downtown Beaufort, the Penn Center on St. Helena Island, Palmetto Bluff (which even Tippy had not seen), some of downtown Bluffton, Mitchellville, etc. Our day in Beaufort was accompanied by torrential rain much of the time. It didn’t really prevent us from doing what we wanted, but it always seemed the heaviest when we were driving. And of course, we enjoyed many meals together - and great memories from our trip together! When we asked Sandi what she wanted to do while she was here, she said she wanted to go to “that Fig place” – Olive and Fig, one of our favorite restaurants, as you know! So, that was on the agenda, as was Ruan Thai, First Watch, and others. We enjoyed them all.

 Both Tippy and I had some appointments we had to work in, with mine being a Meet and Greet with our candidate for governor, Joe Cunningham. If you’ve followed the blog for any length of time, you know that Joe is well known to us, but we were introduced to his running mate for Lt. Governor. Tally Casey. I think he may have selected a Lt. Governor who is more capable than he!! She was a fighter pilot with several tours of duty in Iraq, as well as having a 20-year law career. Sandi was gracious enough to tag along for that. I felt compelled to go since I’m the one who sends out political information to the Democrats in the Crescent (at least those we have identified). I was also curious to see if anyone from our community showed up! One couple – one couple showed up!! I don’t doubt that they will all vote, etc. but the participation level is disappointing. So, when I sent out the next update, I included (at the very bottom, in small print) the following quote: "It's not enough for your heart to be in the right place. Your ass has to be there too. [...] there is no substitute for being there, at the heart of the action. And to get there, you have to leave 'here.'"

                                                                                                                                 -Steven Pressfield

I doubt that anyone even saw it but it did make me feel better!

 After a very pleasant visit, Sandi left on Thursday (8/25/22). She and I went for an early breakfast at First Watch. She also wanted to meet my neighbors and their dogs, so while we were at breakfast I texted Mark and asked if Felix and Henry could come out to play, not realizing that it had started to rain. I didn’t hear anything from them but a few minutes after we got home, they braved the rain and came over. It was Henry’s first visit and all went well. Felix enjoys the rug and his two favorite toys from Rosie’s stash so much that I was afraid there would be some friction. But, there wasn’t. It was a pleasant visit before Sandi got on the road around 10AM. The end of a very nice visit.

Sandi arrived with a lovely bouquet of flowers, one for Tippy and one for me. I really enjoyed them and they lasted for such a long time. I kept weeding out the wilting branches and they really held up well.

That afternoon I took Rosie to the park for her afternoon walk, when I received a text from
new friends in the neighborhood, Melodie and John. I met them through their friend Robin who is on the Lowcountry Coalition Again Hate with me. They were all getting together at our clubhouse for drinks and dinner and invited me to join them. It was a great opportunity to get to know them all better and was lots of fun. We found we have a lot in common – politics, doggies (yes, we showed photos!), international experiences AND Melodie and John are taking a trip to South Africa in September. I can guarantee we will have lots to talk about after that! I can’t wait to hear all about it. Actually, a few days after that, Melodie sent me a lovely
book The Wilderness Family – at Home With Africa’s Wildlife by Kobie Kruger. I’ve just started it and it’s magical. Thank you, Melodie!

 8/29/22: Well, it has been dark and rainy all day, so much so that Rosie has given up and gone back to bed – not once but twice! And I don’t mean her bed. I mean she has gone back to the bedroom and crawled under the cover! I know how she feels.

9/11/22: Politically. things are warming up in anticipation of the mid-term elections. I ventured to our Democratic Party Bluffton office to hear Dr. Annie Andrews, who is running for our US House seat against Nancy Macy. She is a very strong candidate, but this is South Carolina! I'm hoping women will get out in force to vote against the hard-right masochistic state regime. Melodie and I also attended our precinct meeting to see how we can help get folks out to vote. Our focus is going to be on Democrat voters who do not usually vote in mid-term elections. If we can bring out a significant number of them, it might make a difference.

On a more social front, Chris and I made a long-awaited trip to Savannah for Indian food. We were not disappointed! Liberal Ladies also had a luncheon which was not as well attended as usual. The feeling was that people have just gotten worn down by the events of the last few years, which makes me wonder if things will ever get back to "normal" - whatever that is!

Well, the passing of Queen Elizabeth is another blow to our perception of the world as we know it! She has truly been a constant in our lives for decades - all but 5 years of my life! Regardless of how one feels about the monarch, the empire....or her personal ups and down, I always felt that she tried to set the right tone, a positive, hopeful tone. After the upheaval and divisiveness of the last few years here, I can certainly appreciate the benefit of a figurehead above the fray of politics who can call us to be our best selves. We could certainly use someone like that right now. I also think of all she experienced in her lifetime (and always the best of the best!) and the people she met. What a life! I actually saw her and Prince Philip when they came to San Diego in 1983. At that time, the only British person I knew was a pen pal I had when I was in grade school. Little did I know that within a year I would take a job abroad and meet many British folks, some of whom became lifelong friends! They sailed into port on the Britannia to a warm welcome. The following day they went to church at an Episcopal church downtown, where my roommate and I were among the crowd. We got a wave and it was exciting to actually see them in person, as well as the Britannia! Here's an article recounting their visit, as well as a current news clip. She certainly had a long, rich life and King Charles III will have big shoes to fill. Her calming presence will be missed.

And, of course, today is the 21st anniversary of 9/11, as well as my father's birthday. It's almost emotional overload. It's hard to believe that 9/11 happened 21 years ago and even harder to believe that my father has been gone 37 years. I see more of him in myself with each passing year and I'm thankful that he passed along his sense of humor! Over the years it has come in handy!

Feast or Famine!

 August has proven to be a very busy month. After two years of being confined at home, there has been much more to do than usual. So, it's feast time!

7/29/22: Facebook was busy wishing Eileen a very Happy Special Birthday (80^th! – though no one believes it for a second!) when I saw a post from Cheryl. She had taken a fall the previous Friday and fractured her hip, which required surgery the next day! Wow! That does not sound like fun. At the time of her post, she was still in hospital and hoped to be transferred to a rehab facility soon. I just sent her an IM and I hope she’s okay.  I know she will miss being home -  Phil, Remi, her horses, and the barn cat -but, hopefully, Phil can keep it all going until she is able to get back home and pick things up again. This is one of those times I wish we were closer and I could help them both. Update: I have since talked to Cheryl and she sounds fine though still has some pain. The good news is that she is home and her rehab will happen there. I'm sure you join me in wishing her a speedy recovery.

 8/2/2022:  The month began with the Van Gogh exhibit in Charleston, something that Chris, Lynn, Tom, and I had been looking forward to for a while. It certainly lived up to the hype! We decided to do it up right and make a day of it so we hired a limo service to take us there and back. It was a real treat not to have to worry about traffic, parking, etc. It added to the overall experience. We arrived early but were let in right away as the organization was top-notch. It was truly sensory overload. The first room was informational, providing history and context about his life, his work, and his relationship with his brother, Theo. The second room was the waterfall room where Van Gogh's paintings and parts thereof seemed to just flow like a waterfall, down the wall, and across the floor. I found it to be very soothing and calming, to say nothing of fascinating. The third room was the main event as it seemed to contain all of his works. We were told that it would take about 35 minutes for the program to cycle through but that some people had stayed as long as 2 hours! I could see that if you sat in front of one wall for the 35-minute cycle, you could move to another wall and be equally impressed - and then there were the free-standing screens! It really was more than I could take in! I have always liked his work, especially the color, strokes, etc., and I am now even more impressed. The music also seemed to compliment everything, and just imagining how they came up with the concept and execution of it all is simply mind-boggling! If you haven't seen it and have the opportunity, please do so. I also hope there will be other exhibits like this coming down the pike. When we came out, our car (van) was waiting and we were taken to the Brown Dog Cafe & Deli for a nice lunch. It was suggested by Chris and it had the usual offerings as well as more vegetarian options than most. After a nice meal, we were taken home - a nice way to end a wonderful experience.

 OK, this slideshow may require some effort! It seems that you will have to spur it along.

• If it is a slide with photos only, click anyplace on the slide and the photos will progress as designed, as well as move to the next slide. 
• If the slide has a video, click on the video to start it. When the video is over, click on the blue part of the slide and it should move on to the next slide.

Apologies for the bother - this will niggle at me until I figure it out (and I don't have time right now!)

8/6/2022: Rosie and I left bright and early for a 5-hour 45-minute drive to Franklin, NC to join Tippy at her cabin. That's the time it takes with no stops, and you know we had to make stops! Even so, there were no exasperating incidences and it all went well. When we were on our last leg of the trip, Tippy called to say there had been a big storm and a tree was down across her driveway. She had called someone to remove it but she just wanted us to know if it was still there when we arrived. It was, so we just parked by the tree and walked up to the cabin. Rosie must have remembered being there because she just sashayed right up to the door. James came and took care of the tree as we got settled in. The funny part is that we did not know when James arrived and we were sitting on the deck (a raised deck with no outside entry!) when all of a sudden a little white, fuzzy dog ran from around the corner! Without hearing him, James had lifted little Brandy up on the deck, not knowing that Rosie was there, too! It was just a fun surprise since we didn’t know they were even there. Little did we know there would be another big storm that night, lots of rain, thunder, and lightning! Luckily, after that, things settled down.

The best part of being away was that we never rushed about anything. When we were up and ready the next day, we went to an antique market in Dillard. It was actually a complete strip mall and either 2 or 3 levels. I've never seen so much stuff in one place!  It was really good browsing. From there, we went to Julip Farms which is just a delightful farm for enjoying a beautiful day. They had a little bit of everything from chickens with a high-scale coop, to ponies, games for kids, a nice restaurant, and cottages to rent. Our only other stop was at Walmart for Tippy to buy a belt. Her pants kept wanting to fall off - a problem I don't have! Just as we got home, the booming started for the afternoon showers. We sat on the deck and watched the rain overtake the mountains and move our way. We could hear the gentle rain on the leaves but were protected from it by the overhang. One shower moved through and the sun came out a bit before the next one rolled in. It was delightful to see it all happen. Rosie and I went out for her afternoon walk and we could hear the drizzle on the leaves of the trees but the thick canopy kept it from reaching us. As we got closer to the cabin and she began to explore an unprotected part of the yard, she suddenly realized it was raining and headed straight to the door! This is her second trip to the cabin and she is feeling much more at home. She’s even ventured to the edge of the deck – the last visit she would only venture a tiny bit outside the door only to be near us! 

On Sunday, Tippy wasn't 100% so we had a quiet morning doing our puzzles - sudoku for Tippy and crosswords for me. That, along with a leisurely breakfast, was very relaxing. In the early afternoon, we decided to drive up toward Highlands, which has a few waterfalls along the way. We were on twisty mountain roads and a picturesque stream seemed to stick by the road. Finally, we decided to pull over at one of the falls and were treated to local fun. There were several families with kids who were playing in the pool made by the fall. Kids were using ropes to shimmy up huge rocks and then dive or jump into the pool. It was quite a show and by the time we left, several other cars had pulled over to enjoy the scene. It really was perfect. Once back home, we began to think about departure on Monday morning. Tippy had planned to stay until Tuesday but with not feeling well and a busy week ahead, she decided to leave on Monday also. We took our time getting organized and packed. It took up a bit longer with a few stops but we managed to stick pretty much together and get home safely. I admit to not looking forward to the drive up but, once there, I really was glad I made the effort. It was so good to get away, especially to such beautiful scenery, and to have a relaxing time. Thanks, Tippy, for the invitation.

Tuesday the 9th, the day after getting home from Franklin, involved some trickery and lots of good food. It was Mark's (neighbor across the street) birthday. Maria and I had been plotting for weeks and, as it turned out, right up to the last minute. They had recently taken a trip to NY and a friend, who is an artist, had shown them a piece Mark really liked. Maria went about obtaining it as a birthday surprise. I was part of securing it and keeping it a surprise until the actual day. The painting was actually delivered to my house in a huge box that barely fit into my car. From here, when Mark was otherwise occupied, we got it to the framers and back to my place where it stayed until the day. Finally, on the day, Maria invited me to lunch and all the while I'm wondering how we were going to actually pull off the surprise. Maria dropped over and asked if there was any way we could get him over here for the unveiling. I had planned to take over a bottle of prosecco so I said we could have it here after lunch....and Maria added her dessert to it, so we had a plan. After a delicious lunch by Maria, who is a fantastic cook, they came over. We had a delightful couple of glasses of prosecco with dessert. Finally, as they were getting ready to leave, Maria casually asked if I minded if she showed Mark the piece of art in my bedroom. "Sure" It was covered with a sheet and when Maria dropped the cover, his mouth flew open in total surprise! Not wanting to give anything away, I didn't have my phone/camera to record it, but we pulled it off!! 

Also on the Maria and Mark front, they have adopted a second dog, Henry. Like their Felix, he is calm and pretty laid back (though he has nipped one of their guests!). He has been fine with me, though he did growl once when I was over for lunch. Overall, he has a good temperament and I'm sure they will work through it. Felix came over yesterday with Maria and Iris, their daughter who was visiting for the weekend. Felix loves my flokati and two of Rosie's toys. He goes to the rug right away and takes the toys out of the basket and plays!  I'm not sure how we are going to introduce Henry into the scenario, but I'm sure we will.

And finally, this past Saturday (8/13/2022) I went to Charleston again, this time to attend the White Coat Ceremony for Reyna's son, Alex.  She had asked me months ago and I knew it was in August but I never heard anything further until she stopped by on Thursday to say it was all happening in two days! Needless to say, I felt a bit rushed but all turned out well. Being on a Saturday, the traffic was lighter than on a work day and it turned out to be an easy drive up and back. I really had no idea what to expect and it turned out to be quite impressive. The white coats were presented to this year's medical students going to the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). It was held at the Performing Arts Center which holds about 13,000 people, so I knew it was going to be a much larger group than I expected. The ceremony was prefaced with two very entertaining speakers from the faculty. Then it was time for the ceremony. The incoming students (160 of them!) were seated throughout the auditorium and as their names were called, they rose and a loved one assisted with donning the white coat. They then quickly posed for a photo. It really was touching and I found myself sitting there with a smile on my face as I witnessed the pride the loved ones had for their student and the excitement of the students. Other surprising and encouraging information is that 60% of the class is female! I also recognized Indian, Spanish/Mexican, and Arab names, as well as a Sikh family. It was the most diverse group I've been among in a long time, and it was wonderful to see. I also learned that their white coats are short so they can be identified as a student. When they graduate in 2026, they will receive the longer coat of a physician. It was so impressive that all in attendance actually sat quietly until all 160 received their coats. Those of you who have met Reyna, know her story and the fact that her son is in medical school is truly amazing. When she first came here from Mexico, she spoke no English and had the phone number of someone to call for assistance. When she made that call, it was out of service! She made her way doing yard work, working in kitchens, and other meager, menial jobs. It took her six years before she could afford to bring Alex here to be with her. What they have both accomplished is amazing, something most of us could never imagine. That background certainly added to the poignancy of the moment. In any case, I was very appreciative to have been included and enjoyed every minute. The family went out for dinner afterward. I was invited but preferred to get home in time to get Rosie out for her last walk. 

So much has happened this month that it has taken me 3 days to put this together, with the usual stops and starts. I wanted to commemorate the starting date, August 14th, because on that date in 2015, I adopted my sweet (spoiled) Rosie! Only those of you with dogs (and cats) can fully understand the joy they bring to one's life and I'm so thankful to have found the perfect doggie for me! Especially since I never met her in person until I had adopted her online and they brought her to me! It was just meant to be.

As I check over this, it seems that the first slideshow is not showing correctly - this is the first time I've tried to include a video and it seems to gum up the works. I really hate it because the videos give you the best impression of what the exhibit was like. In any case, if it doesn't work properly, I'll try to figure out the problem and you can check back later.

Where Has July Gone?

 7/11/22: Today is the first time I’ve tested for Covid. After coming in from our walk and as I was having breakfast, I realize I had a headache and that the area around my eyes/sinuses and even down my neck were tight and touchy. I have no idea whether this is a symptom of Covid but I just felt crummy. So, having the kits, I decided to test myself. Results are that I just feel crummy – no Covid, which is good.

Just a hawk on my roof!

It looks like we’re in for a week of overcast, rainy weather, which has reduced the temperature again. When awakened this morning it was only because my watch alarmed. Usually, by 6 AM it is so light that it’s difficult to stay in bed. This morning was dark and we got to stay in a bit longer, which was nice but am not sure I’ll like a week of the dark days. Due to the abundant rain, everything remains green and lush.

7/27/22: Well, I didn’t have Covid but my sinus issues developed into a couple of weeks of misery! It is only the last three days that I am without the sinus pressure and have hopes of getting back to normal (though still a lot of drainage that makes me feel yucky). It was only on the right side and I didn’t feel “sick” but just really yucky and uncomfortable. I was not able to blow any of the congestion out my nose so it all drained down my throat, pooling there before trickling through my system, and leaving my mouth with a disgusting taste and my stomach with a yucky feeling. Not pleasant!

It just so happened that in the midst of that I was also in great social demand (LOL!). In one week, I ate out four times with friends! My neighbor, Maria, and I went to Beaufort for lunch on July 13, stopping at Fetch on the way. Fetch is an eclectic gift shop that is run as a fund-raiser for Noah’s Arc Animal Rescue, which is the animal rescue from which I got Rosie. Eileen and I had stopped by when she was here but they were closed, so I was happy to have an opportunity to visit. Tippy and I also got together for our weekly natter (on Thursday, 7/14) and on Sunday (7/17) Rhonda and I got together for a long overdue catchup, followed by cake and wine at her place afterward. It’s always fun to get together with like-minded friends.

It was on that Saturday (7/16) that Chris and I made a day of it. We went to Ridgeland to see the opening of a new exhibit, The Supper Table, at the Morris Center for Lowcountry Heritage. The Supper Table was inspired by the 40^th anniversary of The Dinner Table installation by Judy Chicago and was composed of table settings signifying 12 prominent women in South Carolina’s history - Mary McCleod Bethune – Alice Childress – Septima Clark – Mathilda Evans – Althea Gibson – Angelina and Sarah Grimke – Eartha Kitt –Sarah Leverette – Julia Peterkin – Eliza Lucas Pinckney – Modjeska Monteith Simkins – Elizabeth Evelyn Wright. It was timely in that Mary Bethune's statue was just that week added to Statuary Hall in DC. We went on this day because there was a program with the woman whose idea it was to put this together. It was interesting to learn how the artists were assembled and the various aspects of the project (a play, a video production, a book, etc.). As I think about it now, I came away wanting to know more. My focus at the time was on the women represented and how the place settings represented each, to the exclusion of the artists involved. I would now like to know more about the artist that was charged with presenting each person. There were also beautiful drawings of each person and we were surprised to learn that they were done by Kirkland Smith, the wife of James Smith, a recent Democrat candidate for SC governor. We had no idea she was an artist and the Morris Center will be exhibiting some of her work in the future.

There is also a personal story to our day at the Morris Center, which is housed in a pristine, old Sinclair service/gas station. My father, who worked in a hardware store for many years, eventually bought a general store outside of town (Wadesboro, NC) that was also a Sinclair station. Those stations were noted for their white and green colors and dinosaur logo. In our case, we lived in the back of the station – a kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and a porch. Eventually, my parents built a house next door to the station, which we occupied until the death of my mother. So, the building itself brought back so many memories from a time I don’t often think about. The building itself was an added attraction for me.

 Needless to say, Chris and I ended our day with a late lunch at Olive and Fig!

Not a lot else happening, though August promises to be busy. The first week we are going to Charleston for the Van Gogh exhibit. I’m really looking forward to that as I’ve heard so many good things about it. That weekend Rosie and I are joining Tippy in the NC mountains for a few days – the first time I’ve actually gotten away in two years!! I’ve been at home so much it seems a bit intimidating. At the end of the month Sandi, a friend from our second Africa trip, will be visiting for a few days. Hopefully, by the time September arrives things will begin to cool a bit.