Farewell 2023. Welcome 2024!

This dark, rainy weekend is a perfect time for a final 2023 entry to wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, or Happy Holidays, whatever you may or may not be celebrating! Whichever it is, I hope you are more into it than I am! My best description is that I'm in a "wait it out" mode! This, too, shall pass!

I usually put the tree up and decorate the weekend of Thanksgiving, but this year I was well over a week late, not having much enthusiasm for it. I was really dreading dealing with the tree. It's heavy, time-consuming, and messy. As luck would have it, I ran into a neighbor who told me about her wrought-iron tree, which was the answer to my problem. I ordered one, and while it was time-consuming this year (taking plastic covers off all branches), it will be quick and easy from here on out......and I get to see and use my ornaments without all the hassle! I also made a few other changes - lights and bell collection on the mantel, Margaret Furlong white porcelain ornaments on the coffee table, etc. So overall, it feels a bit different, which is not a bad thing after all these years.

In addition to dreading the holidays, what have I been doing? I joined Liberal Ladies for the Holiday Cocktail Party, which was very pleasant and festive, and it's always great to run into ladies whom I don't see often. The program was even more enticing - it was about the DAYLO  program (Diversity Awareness Youth Literary Assoc.) which is a student book club that formed after the book bans here in the county by none other than Moms for Liberty! Once MFL challenged 97 books in the school district, I was pleasantly surprised to see a strong, positive response. Some volunteered to be on the review committees, others organized and informed everyone, like FABB (Families Against Book Bans), and more! People mobilized quickly and remained involved. At the end of the day, all books were returned to the shelves except for about 5 (one book was challenged that wasn't even in the system!). What I got the biggest kick out of was that one of the books (by Colleen Hoover) that was removed is going to be made into a movie!! You gotta laugh! 

What else has been happening? I got the leaking windows and damaged flooring repaired. That was a biggie! Chris and I celebrated her birthday at Olive and Fig, which is always good. I continue my daily walking routine except for Sundays and rainy days. Even on cold days, I manage to do it in the morning though I know it will be warmer in the afternoon. I also know I will talk myself out of it if I put it off until later in the day!

One evening (12/3), Maria, Mark, and I went onto the island to see the lights in Mitchelville. They had a drive-thru display with lights covering everything that wasn't nailed down. It was pretty and festive. We followed recommendations to arrive early and line up to drive through. We were probably the 5th or 6th car in line, with a short wait until opening time. When we drove out, cars were lined up as far as the eye could see with a second road trying to merge! We were thankful for our short wait. From there we went to Shelter Cove, which was quiet but well-decorated, including some of the boats in the marina. We walked all along the waterfront and wound up at Ela's for a light dinner. It was such a warm evening that we ate outside on their deck with a nice view of the marina. It really was a lovely, relaxing evening.

I mentioned last month that Lynn hosted the November birthday folks (Tom, Chris, and Tippy) for dinner, but that wasn't enough for Tippy! She decided she wanted a parade AND to be addressed as Her Majesty for the day. So, she put out the summons and the usual suspects showed up. We were instructed to wear crazy hats and bring a musical instrument. Somewhere among the photos, you can see my meager attempt to do so. Once the group was "organized", we paraded around the cul-de-sac making celebratory noises and singing (?) Happy Birthday! We then retired to the house for birthday cake. It was lots of fun as only Tippy and willing accomplices can generate and I hope it was a Happy Birthday for Her Majesty!

To update you on Tippy, she will be having surgery on cervical vertebrae 2-5, though that will not happen until after the holidays. Her doctors want to approach the surgery from the front of her throat, which is complicated by her previous throat cancer and radiation. Even so, she seems to have two wonderful surgeons on the case and feels confident in moving forward. Tippy did one thing that I thought was brilliant and I would not have thought of doing. She recorded her meeting with her doctors on her phone (then transcribed to text and shared with friends). Knowing that I always walk away from important meetings like that thinking that I didn't hear it all, didn't ask questions, etc. How nice to be able to go back and hear it all when in a less tense mode! I thought that was a very good move and I hope I remember it should I need it.

I must mention a few of my "glimmers" for the week. The photo on the left is a gift bag from a neighbor to Rosie. To be honest, I don't really know their names, but they have Floyd, whom I refer to as their time-share doggie. Floyd actually belongs to one of their children but spends months at a time with them. They conscientiously walk Floyd and take him for drives.....and our paths just cross in the process of that. One afternoon when the house was in total disarray (Xmas decorating), the doorbell rang. It was Floyd and his mistress with a little goodie bag for Rosie! I thought that was so sweet and a total surprise. It contained some treats for Rosie and a roll of poop bags (with a weenie dog on it) for her servant. It was such a delightful surprise.

On another day, I received a message in the evening that my Amazon orders had been delivered. I opened the door to get them and there were three packages rather than the two expected. My first thought was, "Oh, no, another thing to deal with, a wrongly directed package!" When I checked it out, it was addressed to me and was a lovely, delicious box of dried/candied fruit from Jim and Anthony! How thoughtful and what a perfect gift for a vegetarian! I never even thought of candied kiwi, which is delicious! I sent them a thank-you e-card but it hasn't been picked up yet, so I will thank them again here AND say that we need to get together in 2024! It has been far too long. It is so good to hear from them and it didn't have to be a gift.....it could be a visit! Thank you for thinking of me in such a nice way and I hope to see you soon.

I awakened this morning to the sound of a steady rain, which must have started hours earlier. This is how my yard looks at  9:30 AM and it's supposed to rain until 11 PM! Needless to say, it's dark and dreary, and the only thing to perk it up is to turn on the ornament tree and any other holiday features with lights.

I'll close by wishing you a very Happy Holiday season and peace, joy, prosperity, and good health in the coming year. May 2024 be kinder to us all.

End of Year Denial!

This is the second dark, dreary day following a string of beautiful ones. We were expecting some rain, which we needed, but it only spit enough to keep Rosie inside! She alerted me when Mark took Felix and Henry out and I used that as motivation to get her moving. It worked like a charm! While our temperatures are falling, we will still be in the mid-70s next week, minus the humidity of the summer, which makes it wonderful.

Photographs are a great way to remind myself whom I've been with and what we've done. These are photos from October that were misplaced and not included in the last entry. Chris's family (the Girls' Week!) was down for a week and invited us over for Sunday brunch. We knew to expect abundant and delicious food, but this year they were right on the beach with a gorgeous, bright view of the ocean. It was a delightful morning with a heavy Jimmy Buffet theme, as you can see. It was lots of fun and we came away full and happy!

Speaking of Chris, she was up to her phantom treats again for Halloween. Being a former teacher, Halloween is one of my least favorite holidays, but this goodie bag did get it off to a good start. Somehow, I also received an invitation to my (Conservative) neighbor's Halloween party. It was actually held at the home of one of Rosie's favorite people (Who isn't her favorite person?); so, if he's out working in the yard, we stop for a chat in the morning. It was to be in their driveway/garage and he invited me. I dreaded it for a week! It turned out to be a bigger bash than I expected and I chatted a bit with various neighbors, some of whom were surprised to see me there! My plan was to arrive early and depart early, which I did. Thus, Halloween was over!

Now that the carpet in the bedroom is complete, I've tackled the window leak and floor damage in the den. It takes a while to get estimates and try to determine the best person/company for the job. I have one last (I hope!) guy coming tomorrow and I hope to move forward from there. There is actually only one who seems to really have found the source of the leak with a reasonable plan of action, but before moving ahead, I'll get some input from neighbors who know more about this type of thing than I do. Wish me luck!

I shouldn't complain because I do have wonderful neighbors whom I feel I could call on in need, and I'm very appreciative of that. Recently, I had a bush that was enveloping my mailbox cut back. In doing so, the cap of the mailbox post had rotted away, and I added that to my list of jobs to get done. A couple of days later, I arrive home from my walk, and my mailbox has been capped and gussied up! My neighbors across the street, Maria and Mark, repaired it for me! How nice was that? It really made my week!

On Oct. 26th in the late afternoon, Rosie began shivering and panting violently for no apparent reason. I quickly called the vet and was happy when they could see us on such short notice and that late in the day. Rosie has intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) and the vet thought it was a flare-up. We were sent home with two medications for pain and inflammation, which along with the gabapentin that she already gets twice a day, meant that I was giving her medications 5 times per day!! No easy task. One was a liquid, which I could disguise with treats, chicken, or cheese, but the other was a hard, nasty-tasting pill. As you can see from the middle photo, I wound up pulverizing the pill, putting it in a pill pocket, and rolling it in cheese! To make it seem more like a treat, I put it in her puzzle. I'm not sure she was fooled by any of it and there was one day when she would have none of it. It took about 4 days for her to act herself again, and I'm hoping that it lasts. It is really difficult when something is wrong and she can't tell me what is happening. 

And, yes, there has been the usual socializing over food. The periodic trip for Indian food, this time finding a cupcake shop for dessert! Asian food with three other like-minded, single ladies from the hood. Lynn hosted a lunch for three November birthday people - Tom, Chris, and Tippy! It was the first time we'd been together in a while and was good to catch up. Rhonda C. and I got together for a long overdue chat and political rant, which I always enjoy! Liberal Ladies also had a nice brunch where it was good to see longtime friends and acquaintances, as well as Jewish friends who are experiencing much angst related to current international issues, some having relatives in Israel. It's hard to imagine how they must feel. Equally, I can't imagine what the innocent (non-HAMAS) people of Gaza must be going through. It certainly makes one feel helpless and at the whim of crazy men.

To the topic of the day, Thanksgiving is around the corner and I wish I looked more forward to it. I'm lucky to be sharing it with friends, but I feel like I just want to get it over with!  And I can't even think about Christmas! I guess things will fall into place as the holidays approach, but at this point, I remain in denial!

I'll leave you with this little blurb about glimmers. I really think glimmers are my superpower as I am always aware and appreciative of small things that happen solely because someone did something nice for no reason other than to make someone's day brighter - like repairing my mailbox, which I consider a big glimmer! Like friends who leave goodie bags at your door. Like a neighbor who saw Rosie and me scrambling home in the rain and pulled his car over, rolled down the window, handed me an umbrella, and kept going. Like the Black Magic Woman Tippy and I ran into in Cape Town. Like the young man at Callawassee service station who asked if everything was okay when I had car trouble. Too many to count. Sometimes the world seems too overwhelming and out of control, but it's nice to know there are good people out there willing to make someone's day. Here's wishing lots of "glimmers" in your future.

Another Month Gone!

 It's a dark, rainy day, with promises of more of the same over the next few days, so it seemed a good time to update the blog. It will also give me a reprieve from my walking routine and the opportunity to get some things done around the house. Rosie is taking advantage of it, too, as she is still in bed with no signs of coming out!

I looked back to see when I last posted, and another full month had passed, flying by at record speed! As I look back, I have gotten a lot done with the installation of new bedroom carpet being at the top of the list. I'm so glad to have it done, and the installers (three young men) were amazing. I couldn't imagine how they would move all of the furniture, but somehow they got most of it in my bathroom!! Only the desk was in the hallway. I was amazed, and they did it in no time at all. 

In preparation for the carpet installation, I removed everything from the countertops and all of the drawers from the bedroom furniture. I resolved not to return anything until I had gone through it and pared down. That became quite a project, but I stuck with it. Now I have a bedroom full of things to donate, which will be my project for the weekend - to box it all and take it to thrift shops early next week. I'm glad I was motivated to do this and hope it will last until I go through my closet, too!

Needless to say, I was surprised at some of the things I discovered as I went through the drawers, like my baby bonnet, which would now be an antique! It had a pink ribbon tie, which was missing, and I don't remember who made it. I also found rare correspondence from my father to me while I was in college. I had to laugh as a PS stated that he usually got $4/page for his writing, but for me it was free! I think I can truthfully say that I get my quirky sense of humor from my Dad!! 

While I was waiting for the carpet to be completed, I tackled another project. I use the app Paprika to clip online recipes, and I have thousands! Even so, I wanted to add those favorites from my recipe notebook so that they could be accessed on my tablet. In some cases that meant finding them again online, and for others, taking a photo, etc. So far, all of them are included with the exception of about 10 or 12 that I'll finish in the evenings; then, everything can be found in one place!

My cousin's house with loads of flowers!

September 26 - 28, I went up to NC to visit cousins. This was prompted by learning that one of them had recently gone into a nursing home, and I knew if I didn't make the effort, I would likely never see them again - I called it my farewell tour! I stayed in a motel as the cousin I usually stay with is having ongoing health issues, but that gave me more flexibility in the use of my time. In the short time I was there, I saw 5 cousins and their spouses, as well as a second cousin. I was warmly welcomed and immediately caught up on all of the family drama! At times I felt like a visiting psychiatrist! Even so, it was good to see everyone and catch up. The most difficult part was visiting my cousin in the nursing home. She seemed distraught and looked like she could jump out of her skin. Her twin sister seemed to think that once she was strong enough to go home, she would be more herself, but I'm not so sure. She suffered a sudden memory loss (as well as a back injury) which was determined not be to from a stroke, so I don't know what could have caused it. Anyway, it was difficult to see her, and I do hope she can go home soon and that she will improve. So sad.

My trip to NC was the first time I've been anywhere since before Covid, so it was unsettling to leave Rosie behind. Luckily, I have a neighbor/friend who doggie sits in her home and she was able to keep Rosie. I knew everything would be okay, but I still had separation anxiety! Ann kept me updated with these photos. I learned that when Ann walked Rosie, she (Rosie) wanted to go home and Ann had difficulty turning her around! Another neighbor and doggie duo came along and enticed Rosie back in the right direction. It was funny because once I got back, I got reports from various neighbors of Rosie sightings while I was away. One neighbor welcomed me home, and another and his doggie walked up Ann's street on the off chance they might see Rosie and offer encouragement! Maria and Mark across the street had also invited Ann and Rosie to drop by and visit Felix and Henry if needed. Obviously, I had no need to worry about Rosie's care. The whole neighborhood was looking out for her!

On September 17th, Tippy, Kieran, Chris, and I went to Charleston for a Michelangelo Sistine Chapel exhibit. It was smaller than the Van Gogh but equally impressive. We went up on a Sunday so it was a bit quieter than usual and an easy drive. The museum opened at 11:30 and it took a little over an hour to view the exhibit. Each picture was explained by a board next to it, but you could also download an app to your phone that allowed one to listen via earbuds to an explanation of each. piece. I love that kind of stuff. You may get more information HERE or download the app (Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel Exhibit) and see the whole exhibit, even though it won't compare to the real thing. From the exhibit, we adjourned to Saffron for lunch, then a leisurely drive home.

On Labor Day weekend, my TV in the den died. It had been acting strangely for a while but eventually, it got to the point that the picture froze. I chatted with someone online who suggested I see a repair person, though I knew that would probably cost as much as a new TV. So, I got online and Best Buy (right next door!) was having a sale, so I ordered online and picked it up an hour later. The hardest part was dealing with the size and weight of the box, and then attaching the feet/legs, which was a fiddly job. After that, it was just a matter of plugging it in and setting it up.

I'm sad to report that more friends have been plagued with falls. Lynn's husband Tom fell while walking Bogey. He had a nasty cut on his head and facial bruising. Lynn called 911 and he was taken to an urgent care facility. They cleaned and bandaged the wound and sent him home. Around mid-afternoon, they were back due to continued bleeding. This time they stitched it. Then, around 2 AM, they were back for the third time due to the bleeding. Needless to say, Tom is on blood thinners that contributed to the problem, but what an ordeal! More recently, Tippy has fallen. We were to get together for lunch last Friday when she texted to ask for a rain check. They were on their way to the ER after a fall in the kitchen. She was told nothing was broken, just a serious bruise. By the next morning, she was in pain and not able to walk without assistance. So, back again to the doctor. This time he ordered a CT Scan, which did not indicate a break of any kind. But, the pain and lack of mobility continued until an MRI was done. It showed that nerves at the base of her spine were compromised and the cause of the pain. Not a lot can be done except for steroids to deal with the pain and encourage healing. She was encouraged to move as much as possible to prevent the development of other problems, and she will be seeing her favorite physical therapist. Here's hoping they both will be 100% soon.

And of course, the entire world has lost its mind and it looks like we will not stop until we kill each other. I don't even know what to say about it all, but I'm sure you're hearing it all and feeling the same incredulity and sadness I feel. To make things worse, 1/3 of our government is virtually non-functional, nor do we have an Ambassador to Israel! I think they are accomplishing their goals as they really do not want government to work. I don't even know what to say!

On a lighter note, my neighbor is at it again this year and I thought UK friends would appreciate this one! And don't ask about the Prince of Whales! I have no idea whether that was intentional or just ill-informed! The neighbors who celebrate Halloween (not me) have had stuff out since September. That's a bit much for me.

This must be the year of the turtle as this is the second large turtle we've seen this year. This
one was on our afternoon walk and it just seemed to be resting in the shade. That was as close as Rosie wanted to get, though she was curious.

I'll close with this photo of Rosie, who was taking advantage of a spot of sunshine. It was only after I took it that I noticed the reflection of her face and the splash of sunlight on the wall behind her. Quite nice. 

Here's hoping this finds everyone doing well and enjoying the seasonal change. I'm sending good wishes your way!

August Theme: Animals and Other Things

It's been over a month since I last posted, and I'm not sure where the time has gone. We're now in the final quarter of the year, and with holidays, time goes faster than usual! While I'm not looking forward to the holidays, I am anticipating more pleasant weather. Our mornings are already a bit cooler and less humid, but I'm eager for the whole day to become more tolerable. These months are often our best and I'm hoping that's the case this year.

One thing that has taken much of my time is getting estimates for the replacement of my bedroom carpet. I can stand it no longer (stains that can't be removed, etc.). The estimates range from $1700 to $2800 to carpet a 22 x 14 foot room!! I knew it would likely be more than I expected, but I certainly didn't expect that! And I'm not looking for anything exotic, basically a replacement of what is already there. Boy has this been an eye-opener!

August began with a nice surprise. I received a text from a friend, Deborah B, inviting me to join her for dinner. We belonged to a monthly group that disbanded during Covid and I hadn't seen her in a while, but she was going to be out this way and made contact, which I really appreciated. We had a nice dinner at Truffles and caught up. I really enjoyed seeing her again. The month progressed with lunches with Tippy, Chris, Lynn and Tom, Indian food with Maria and Mark, and an outing with a new neighbor, Jeanne. And I wonder why I can't lose weight!

The most excitement for the month revolved around the little critter to the left! Meet Gigi! Gigi belongs to a neighbor who had a trip planned to Vermont when her dogsitter fell through at the last minute. So, I was asked if I would keep her. How could I refuse? Well, Rosie was NOT a good hostess! She was so jealous! I pretty much focused on keeping them apart. Gigi is a bundle of energy, smart, funny, with a big personality, and she loves to snuggle. That did not go over well with Rosie! I kept her from Friday to Monday, and things went pretty well until someone came to my door on Sunday morning and both rushed to the door, where there was a major skirmish. The remainder of the time was pretty much like that with Rosie snarling whenever Gigi came too close to me or her. Needless to say, I was relieved when it was over. Gigi's mom was very generous, bringing me some Vermont maple syrup and a gift certificate to a local restaurant. I was glad to help, as I hope others would be willing to help me, but it isn't something I would volunteer to do again!

Well, I have officially surrendered the bird feeder to the squirrels, for Rosie's pleasure! The video shows what happens when they show up - they bring new life to Rosie! For a while, after our morning walk, she would get back in my bed and sleep all morning. I was a little concerned though there were no other signs of anything being wrong. Once the squirrels showed up, she came alive! I realized that she was probably bored. She now naps in the sunroom so as not to miss anything.

Since Rosie has been spending more time in the sunroom, Mother Nature has rewarded her with a parade of wildlife. We've both enjoyed seeing them pass through. I was probably most surprised by the turtle. I noticed Rosie looking down and reacting differently than with the squirrels, and lo and behold, there was a huge turtle. I kept track of him all afternoon, and suddenly he was gone! I went outside and checked the yard, around the corner, etc. No turtle! I didn't think they could move fast enough to just disappear. Anyway, sometime later, I saw him walking across my neighbor's yard heading across the fairway and to the marsh. He amused us for most of the afternoon.

 

 Somewhere in the midst of all this, Idalia came and went. There was the usual suspense of waiting to see what would happen (like being stalked by a turtle!), but I'm happy to say we were bypassed. A lot of small debris was blown around on roads and yards, but nothing to complain about, thank goodness.

Since it seems that most of today's post involves animals, I'll share a story Sandi S. sent about her neighbor's Great Pyrenees Casper, who at great expense to his own wellbeing, saved his flock from a pack of coyotes, killing 8 in the process!. I remembered Sandi telling us that she had used her neighbor's sheep to clear her property, so I can imagine how much this story touched her. You can see the story HERE. Rhonda T sent a lovely story of Southwest Airlines Animal Rescue Flight saving and transporting animals from the disastrous fire in Lahaina, Hawaii. You can see it HERE. Thank you both for sharing these heartwarming stories.

July - A Busy Month

Well, another month has flown by as we approach mid-summer with eager eyes on the fall! While it has been hot, it has not been as uncommon to us as it is to other parts of the country and world. Even so, climate change has me concerned about what lies ahead, especially for coastal areas like ours.

It has been a busy month and civil rights seemed to be the unplanned theme. On the 7th, Rhonda and I met at the Coastal Discovery Museum for their art display Benya: Faces ob de Gullah Geechee featuring many of the local Gullah people who have contributed to our community over the years. It was very well done, though smaller than expected. I had never been to the museum before and we tried to cover the grounds, but it was sweltering. We did find a shaded spot on one of the two piers to sit and chat for a while before completing our tour. It's definitely a place to keep tabs on for future offerings, as well as going back to tour the grounds in more accommodating weather! 

The following Tuesday (7/11), I made a quick trip over to Ridgeland to see an exhibit by Kirkland Smith (wife of James Smith who ran for governor). It was called (In)disposable Art and was composed of disposable products. All of the pieces were striking from a distance and as one approached you were struck by all of the disposable items that created the image. It was very unusual and captivating. It would have been a short trip if I'd just stopped there, but there was a second fractals exhibit (a form of algorithmic art created by fractal objects and representing these calculations as images). That, too, was interesting. As I was browsing, people started to arrive and the curator asked if I was going to stay for the presentation, which I didn't even know was happening. As it turned out, the presenter was Cecil J Williams, who is a noted civil rights photographer and who has his own museum in Orangeburg, SC. He is now 85 years old but you would not know it by his acumen, recall. and stamina. According to him, young people in Orangeburg were doing peaceful protests in Orangeburg before MLK became noted for them. In fact, before a protest in Birmingham, MLK asked 3 people from Orangeburg to come to B'ham and talk with them about what they were doing. These protests eventually led to the Orangeburg massacre in which three students were killed by SC Highway Patrol while trying to integrate a bowling alley. Another sad tale of our history. Mr. Williams was very informative and I was glad I stayed. It was an unexpected addition to my trip over.

On the 20th, Rhonda, Tippy, Kieran, and I had a day in Charleston. The purpose of the trip was to see the newly opened International African American Museum; and, for me, to give Rosie a day with Miss Ann to see how it would go. We had a leisurely drive up and luckily there was a parking garage within a block of the museum. It is a lovely museum and beautifully done with lots of interactive displays, personal accounts, African artifacts, and so on. The entryway alone, with 4 large screens on each side showing diverse scenes, was difficult to leave! One room was dedicated to our local Gullah Geechee culture and their contribution to our area. The was also a section on the slave trade and another on areas of the world where Africans have gone and impacted the culture. One of the most gripping displays was Ashley's sack, which was a sack containing a piece of clothing, a lock of hair, and pecans - gifts from a mother to her daughter who was being sold away from her! Heartbreaking! It was really sensory overload and well worth another visit. We were very fortunate to find Saffron Restaurant and Bakery within easy walking distance, where we had a leisurely lunch before heading home. We made a quick stop at Old Sheldon Church ruins, which the others had not seen. It was a very good day and Rosie seemed to love being with Ann, so a win all around.

Finally, this past Thursday (7/23), I went to Frampton Plantation to see the traveling sculpture of Harriet Tubman by Wesley Wofford. This has been on the calendar all month but I kept moving it back until I was in a crunch to see it before it leaves the area. Frampton Plantation is not an estate, it's more of a plantation house and grounds. The house is mostly a shop with a few relics scattered here and there. The grounds are quite charming with a fountain, a bottle tree, some informative plaques, and thick local vegetation. The statue was impressive and well worth the short drive up. As I've traveled up and down I-95 over the years, I had no idea this little spot was there.

Of course, interspersed with this were gatherings with friends. Tippy and I got together for lunch. Chris and I made a trip to Savannah for Indian food at our newly discovered restaurant. We got together again when Chris's friend Sue visited from Milwaukee. She always plans her trip to coincide with Drinking Liberally, so we met up again there! Maria and Mark had a few neighbors over on July 4, which was a delightful evening. A few weeks later we went to see Oppenheimer, which was very well done and thought-provoking.

On the 3rd when I was walking Rosie, one of my neighbors had a big trump sign in his window following a party the night before. You can imagine how that struck me.....the day before Independence Day! Maria and Mark stopped as they were leaving home and I mentioned it to them. Maria said that if it was still there when they got home, she was going to email our HOA management company. I went for my walk and decided to drop by their office on my way home. They were closed until the 5th. Even so, I emailed them, too, and the sign finally came down (almost) on the 7th. This sign has been there all along but at the bottom of the window partially covered by shrubbery, so he didn't remove it, he just lowered it again. Each day that I walked by that, the more it gnawed at me. So again, I "updated" the office. I told them that neighbors had been tolerant of the sign when there was so sign of discretion, but after the events of the holiday, I for one had lost that generosity of spirit. If he was asked to remove the sign, he had not. If he had not been asked to do so, I would like to be informed so as to have a better idea of how rules are interpreted and enforced. Two days later the sign was removed.  

I finally managed to check out the photos from the UK Aramco reunion and I saved a few photos of friends from those days. This might bring back memories for former Aramcons. I know the gathering at the table immediately took me back to Abqaiq golf club events! Enjoy!

 

I leave you with one of my favorite photos of Allan and myself on the 10th remembrance of his death. Yes, ten years! This was taken at the Bahrain Golf Club and it's a good photo of both of us in our younger days......and I always loved the flags!  That was just one of the many memories we shared. I received a lovely note from Jean, Allan's sister, and Victoria, his niece, posted a nice family collage on Facebook, which I reposted. It meant a lot to hear from friends who remember him so fondly and with whom we shared such a special part of our lives. That would make Allan happy, too! Thank you all for thinking of us and remembering Allan with such warmth.

Halfway Through the Year!

 It's already July, which means we're halfway through another year. It's only one more thing my mother was right about! She always said that the older you get, the fast time flies. Of course, as a kid, that meant nothing. As an older adult, now I understand fully!! 😄

June 3: This month has been a hodgepodge of low-key activities, beginning with a morning at the park with Democrats. Summer has not hit us until this week, and the get-together was on a beautiful, clear, comfortable morning. Dems, Dogs, and Donuts was a welcoming event put together by our local Dem. headquarters as a fundraiser. Unfortunately, there was a small turnout. What you see in the photos was about it. I bid on two items up for auction, placing the lowest bid and getting both! One was a nice basket of doggie treats, mostly too big for Rosie, so I bid on them with Felix and Henry across the street in mind. The second was a handmade ceramic bird feeder. Within a few hours of getting home, I received a call that I'd won them both and I could pick them up from a lady in a nearby neighborhood. In the process of fetching them, I learned that she had made the birdfeeder, had recently moved here from Seattle (political culture shock!), belonged to Liberal Ladies, etc. We had a nice chat and I expect to be seeing her around. Well, while I enjoyed the event, it was stressful for Rosie. She is the queen of her neighborhood, but take her anyplace else or socialize with new dogs, she's easily intimidated. I think she was happy to get home.

June 6: Tippy and I had lunch plans on the island, and since it was scheduled later than usual, I went in early to explore the newly opened Shelter Cover Sculpture Trail. It goes right along Broad Creek, which is quite scenic, and all along the way are various sculptures by local artists. While all of them are not to my taste, it is an interesting theme for a nice walk. There were information signs about the creek and related items, as well as QR codes where you could access information about the artists, as well as poems related to the art. I really enjoyed it, though beforehand I found it difficult to find specific info about the trail - how long, where it begins, etc. The info I got said it started at the Veteran's Memorial Park, though you can start anywhere along the way. For my plans that day, it would have been to my advantage to start at Shelter Cove Park, but I had no way of knowing. Anyway, if you're looking for a nice little walk, it's well worth the visit.

June 18: We (Rosie and I) took off to find Whitehall Park, a newly opened park in Beaufort. It was tucked away in a nice neighborhood right on the marsh. It was a spacious park, with lots of trees, Spanish moss, picnic tables, etc. We pretty much stuck to the perimeter as that was the most shaded area. You can see a long walkway in one of the photos, and that led to what looked like a large wooden pier/deck out over the marsh (which you can scarcely see in another photo). It was too unshaded to explore with Rosie in tow, so it might be worth checking out again.

Why am I doing all of these weird and wonderful things? For one reason, since Covid, I've been a homebody far too long and am trying to get motivated to get out more. Secondly, I've been here so long - 25 years - that I've been there, done that - all of the festivals, parades, groups, clubs, etc.! So, I'm looking for things that I have not done or seen. The good news is that they are happening, I just have to be aware of them! So, when I see something, I add it to my list. Also in that effort, Rosie had an afternoon with Miss Ann, a neighbor who dog sits in her home. I arranged this when Maria, Mark, and I were going out to lunch one day, so it would be for only a short time to see how it worked out. My goal is to work it into something that will allow me to get away for a day or two. The photos were sent by Ann to let me know how things were going, and you can see that Rosie seemed to make herself at home! The funny thing is that the following afternoon on her walk, Rosie took me to Ann's! We're standing in her driveway, with Rosie pulling at the leash to rouse Ann. I knew Ann sometimes took an afternoon nap and was not going to interrupt. In the meantime, Sandy across the street calls Ann and says, "Ann, are you at the house? Go to your front door!" As soon as Ann opens the door, we're running up the driveway to say hello. Needless to say, I think it all went well and we have another full day scheduled with Miss Ann later this month!

This rowdy bunch is our quiet, sleepy Drinking Liberally! On this particular afternoon, we had 39 people attend, with no prior warning. You can imagine the calamity that ensured. They were even moving tables from inside out to the porch! It seems that Margaritaville found us and everyone showed up! It was a fun evening and nice to welcome new people. And again, the ladies were surprised and delighted to learn about Liberal Ladies and other such groups. Our next meeting was much more in line with our usual summer attendance, but it did include some Margaritaville people from the previous meeting. Hopefully, that will continue.

I do have another tale of my walking microcosm at the Lowcountry Presbyterian Church. One day a couple of weeks ago as I was doing my three laps through the parking lot, I noticed a man sitting on the bench on the front porch of the church. His was tucked away behind a row of hedges with his bicycle propped up on the wall beside the bench. I didn't pay much attention, but as he just stayed there, I became a bit concerned. So, on my last lap, I said hello and asked if everything was okay. He said yes, that he was just resting his weary bones. I said good and that he had a cool place to do it, and then went on my merry way. Later that afternoon, I took Rosie there for her afternoon walk (because it's shady), and the man was still there! Now I am really concerned, so I text Lynn, who is a member of the church. She contacts the minister, who informs us that he is a homeless man who shows up there once in a while! So, Lynn joins me to pick up a burger, fries, and a drink to take over to him. To see him, there is nothing to make you think he is homeless. He remembered me from the morning and was very appreciative of the food. He said he was starting a job at Dunkin Donuts on Monday, but he has been back at the church two days this past week, in what appears to be the same clothes from our first meeting. Sadly, there is no shelter here for homeless people, and I don't think the church is reaching out to him, though he is literally on their doorstep! I give him credit for finding a protected, out-of-the-way location to rest, I can't imagine spending a day on a bench with only my own thoughts and no food, water, facilities, etc. It's another sad commentary on our society.

One of the two women who were instrumental in rescuing Rosie posted this photo on Facebook as a memory from 8 years ago, saying she wondered how she, Baby Ruth at that time, was doing! You can see the post HERE. First of all, I've never seen Rosie's ears in that position, so I know she was in pain. From reading the post, learned that she suffered from broken legs and pelvis for days before she was rescued and given care, though I think the lady tried to get help for her. I also learned that Mark Robinson, a local radio personality and animal activist, played a part in her story. He was the one to tell Jennifer Smith of Noah's Ark about her, and they are the group that took her on and dealt with all of her issues. Without them, Rosie would not be with us! Needless to say, I am forever grateful to everyone who helped her. I posted my thanks along with a more recent phone of a graying Rosie eight years later. I'm so glad it had a happy follow-up!

As always, there have been the usual get-togethers with Chris, Tippy, Rhonda, Lynn and Tom, and Maria and Mark, with most of these being over food. Chris and I are getting together for dinner today at Okan, a new restaurant with a West African influence. Its chef started with a food truck that received lots of notice and honor, so we're looking forward to checking it out. Maria, Mark, and I have also discovered a new (to us. I don't know how long it's been around) Indian restaurant in Savannah that we really enjoyed. I'll be sharing that news with Chris as she is my other Indian food connoisseur!

I'll leave you with some local wildlife. Deer must be plentiful this year as I've seen them three times on the road out our back gate, and one has wandered into my yard in the afternoon. I spotted the armadillo (butt view!) one afternoon as I was coming home. They're usually nocturnal. And of course, Rosie is still on squirrel patron.

I hope this finds everyone doing well and enjoying the summer. Love to all!💖

Almost June! Where Did the Time Go?

 Wow! I didn't realize how long it has been since I last posted. May is almost over and we will be mid-year in June! Today is a dark, rainy day - all day, it looks like, so it's a good time to do this. While I don't seem to have a lot to report, I do feel that I've been kept busy with one thing or another.

April 29: One thing I did do that was fun and informative was attend the SC Democratic Convention. I was asked to go as an alternate delegate: but once there, I was moved up to a delegate so I was able to sit on the "floor" and participate in the election of state party leaders. I was asked at the last minute (by that time I think they were just looking for a warm body!) and didn't have the time to do the research I would have liked to have done. Even so, it was great to see how things actually worked. I ran into quite a few people I knew, as well as meeting some interesting new people.  Rep. Clyburn was there, as was Marianne Williamson (not sure why). There was also some drama at the beginning, but it was worked out. The lady I sat beside is involved in the county Pride movement, and the gentleman on my left was Postmaster in Bluffton when there were only three routes!! I was certainly happy to have the opportunity to attend for the day. 

While I was away for the convention, Maria and Mark across the street kept Rosie. As a thank you for that and many other kindnesses, I treated them to lunch at Naan on Broughton in Savannah, our closest good Indian restaurant. We had a leisurely lunch, which did not disappoint, and then strolled down Broughton Street to enjoy the day and work off some of our lunch. I boldly order biryani to go, not realizing how large the portion would be - and I took some of my entree home, too. When I got home and unwrapped it, I was amazed. The only problem was that I already had a fridge full of food, so I froze the soup I'd just made the day before and ate biryani for much of the week. It really was delicious and I enjoyed every grain of it!

Maria and Mark gave me a cute little bird feeder that sticks to the window. I've had it in the sunroom and I can see it from anyplace in the kitchen and den. I have really enjoyed seeing the birds and all has gone well until last week when the squirrels discovered it. At first, there was one, but within a couple of days his buddies showed up! This has been a new challenge for Rosie and she is now on constant squirrel patrol. I know I can remove the screen (before they wreck it!), but it's given Rosie so much pleasure that I'm heistant to do it.

I can only suspect that this new lease on life led Rosie to run away from home! I had someone come by to give me an estimate of power washing the house. Usually, Rosie is so happy to see people that she will go right outside the door to greet them but will come right back in as they move inside. On this day, she headed down the driveway with purpose, taking a right turn and heading up the street. Needless to say, I left the guy at the door and headed after her, calling to no avail. She was making sure to keep adequate distance between us. Finally, three houses up Randy was in his yard, saw what was happening, and called her over. She went right straight to him! Naughy girl! I had already realized that if Felix and Henry were out across the street, she would be tempted to run over, but I don't know what brought this on. I'll definitely have to be more careful from now on.

After being here all this time, I've been to our club house twice recently. One of my neighbors invited me to join them there for dinner on a Saturday night when there would be live music. As it turned out, there were only three tables of diners (including us) and about 6 people at the bar for the entire time we were there! The music was good, a guy and his guitar, but we felt so bad for him that the audience was so minimal! Our evening was saved by the fact that we discovered we are like minded politically. They felt isolated and were surprised to find that there are more of us around than expected. Then a week or so later, Maria and Mark invited me to join them there for brunch. It was a day much like today (though it did clear up earlier) and brunch was a good call. The food was good and plentiful, but again there were only a few tables occupied. I'm not sure how they will be able to keep it open with such poor attendance.

On a gloomy note, I've been working with an "advocacy agency" that will be in charge of my care if I become incapacitated. It's a major decision but is one of the better options for someone like me (an elder orphan, as we are called). Of course, no one will care for you/me as we would wish 100% of the time, but one thing that I've realized is that the agency has a better incite into care facilities, etc. that the average person would have. I hope that will be a plus. I have one more thing to do to get that finalized, then I will work on getting cremation plans in order. It will be good to get all of this behind me and have everything in place. how's all of that for being depressing?!

I'll leave you with some miscellaneous photos from our afternoon walks. The first two are from a recently installed "pocket park" that we discovered. I was hoping it would be big enough for a walk around, but not so; however, it is a lovely little spot and would be prefect for a quiet getaway. The others are from various parks in Bluffton. In the heat of summer, by the time we find shade on my street, we are already overheated; so, for Rosie's afternoon walk we try to find shade wherever we can. We're lucky to have such nice parks close by.

I should also tell you about the lovely, long spring we are having (in spite of today's damp and darkness!). It's almost June and we continue to have temps in the 70s and low 80s. The mornings have been comfortably cool, warming up to a tolerable warmth. Long may it continue!

From February to April!

Where did March go? If I am aging at the speed at which the days are going by (and I am!), I'm in real trouble!! As I try to catch up, I'm also watching trump being indicted and hoping this is the beginning of the end of him. He will never be able to compensate in any way for the damage and hate he has unleashed on our country. Nor do I have the hope that he will ever realize his destructive nature. I just hope some kind of "retribution" (as he likes to say) happens!

On a happier, more fun note, the end of March was marked by a visit from Melodee! She was on a tour to visit friends - NOLA, Mobile, Bluffton, Beaufort, Columbia, Nashville, then home to St. Louis - and I was pleased to be included in her itinerary. We had great weather, perfect for lunches outside with friends, walks on the beach and parks in Bluffton, thrift shopping, etc. - as well as solving the problems of the world over a glass of wine in the evenings. One day we met Chris for lunch at Jinya, a new, trendy ramen bar on the island. It was leisurely and fun to be together. From there we did our thrifting. The next day we met Tippy at Dockside, right on the water. This was the morning after trump was indicted, and we had not even gotten inside the restaurant when Tippy said she felt if called for a glass of wine. As we perused the menu, we debated whether or not to have one (in front of the waitress) because we were celebrating, but we declined! After we ordered, we debated it again and decided to go for it. So, we told the waitress that we had changed our minds, and she said, "What are you celebrating?" I whispered, "The indictment!" She did a quick fist pump!! That made my day, but it gets better. As we were finishing up, preparing to walk down the dock and enjoy the beautiful weather, the waitress came back to our table with her camera. She wanted to take our photo to send to her mom!! She said her mom would get a kick out of it. I don't know about her mom, but we certainly did! All in all, it was a lovely visit and I'm so glad Melodee included me and her local friends in her "grand tour."  

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On the 11th and 12th of March, Lowcountry Coalition Against Hate was finally able to present Mary Burkett and her artwork: Beloved: Children of the Holocaust and Legacy of Slavery. This was scheduled to happen just as Covid hit and has been delayed all this time. Her drawings are superb and haunting, and the stories that accompany them are heartbreaking. Chris and I went to the showing at Campbell AME Church in Bluffton (the second was at Congregation Beth Yam). It was well attended, but this is the type of thing that so many more people should see. An interesting contrast to me was that the children of the holocaust looked like normal, happy children. On the other hand, the children of slavery had lifeless eyes and deep sadness to them. It was heartbreaking. Mary could tell you the story of the Jewish children, mainly because the Germans were very meticulous bookkeepers. The stories of the children under slavery were minimal, mainly because they didn't could! She said she had to take some of them from photographs of slave owners as they were exhibiting their "property." It was such a touching history lesson right there. You can see her work and a video HERE that will express it much better than I can. I hope you'll take a look.

The week before Melodee came, I received two generous letters on the same day - one was a $495 check from the IRS which I had not expected, and the other was a letter informing me that I have $1395 in unclaimed funds in California! At first, I thought the California thing was a scam, but it did look legit in some aspects (they would pursue it for 10%). In any case, I didn't have time to deal with it until after Melodee's visit. Then, I got online, found the unclaimed funds database, and sure enough, there it was. I was able to fill out the appropriate form, which I still need to get notarized, send in the appropriate ID, and claim the funds. I thank the company for letting me know it was there. I had no idea.

One sad note about Rosie. She has had four episodes since December that I thought were related to back pain. By episodes, I mean she starts looking distressed (ears back, tail down, very little movement), then shivering, followed by panting. It was only after the last episode that I realized all of them happened when I got dressed to go out! It doesn't happen if I just dash out to the grocery store but when I change my routine, shower, get dressed, etc. to go out "formally." That doesn't happen all that often but obviously, she has picked up all the cues. Since I've figured it out, I've invested in some calming treats, as well as a calming collar with herbs. She did well when Melodee was here and we were out longer than usual. One Sunday, when I had a play in the afternoon and a birthday party in the evening (and she was panting whenever I was home!), Maria and Mark were kind enough to let her come over and spend the time with Felix and Henry. In any case, I hope I'm able to come to a good solution for this without having to see the vet and medicate her. Believe me, it puts us both under stress when something like that is happening!

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I was going to leave you with some random photos, but I'm running out of time. So, I'll leave you with a little encounter I had this morning when I went for my walk at the church. I noticed a young man who walks a beautiful dog that looks like a setter of some kind. The last time they were there, I saw the dog come across a big stick that he clearly wanted. He looked up at the guy, got the nod, and merrily took off with the stick.  This morning as we approached each other, I picked up a big stick and waved it in the air. The doggie caught on immediately and headed my way. I told the guy what I’d seen a few days ago, and he confirmed that his doggie really liked his sticks. I enjoyed seeing him play with it as they walked away. It made me think of our lives as Venn diagrams. When we do something different in our lives, our little circle overlaps someone else, and theirs overlaps ours. Since walking in that spot, I’ve had this neat experience today. I’ve also met the guy (probably a church member) who comes and picks up stray sticks and limbs that continuously fall from the trees. I’ve run into some Jewish friends I know from my CBY days who use the church for their services from time to time. Then there’s the lady who works across the street and brings her dog over for break time, and the jogger who uses it as I do. It’s a whole little world that I knew nothing about until I started walking there! That experience made me realize how important it is to get out of our bubble and "overlap” with others – how enriching it is, and how much we learn. Saudi friends can surely vouch for what a wonderful, broadening experience that move was, and how much it opened to us. I also think of those who rarely if ever change their routine/life and how much they are missing (and why they have difficulty understanding anything outside of their bubble). I could go on but I'll spare you. I’ll just say it was a good walk!!

Take care!

PS: Just got back from walking Rosie and while we were out, a neighbor pulled over to say that a small alligator was crossing the street ahead! Considering we have also seen our first snake of the season, I'm going to have to watch where Rosie sticks her nose! Life in the Lowcountry!

Spring is in the Air - in February!

Well, I'm stunned by the speed with which February has flown by and even more so by the spring-like weather we've been having. As you can see, the azaleas, daffodils, and redbuds are in full bloom, and I spared you a photo of the pollen that covers everything! Today is a cold snap (71 at the moment), but tomorrow is supposed to be 73 with several days in the 80s next week. While this weather is very acceptable any time of the year, one can't help but wonder what we'll be having when spring actually arrives, and I can't even think about summer! Combine this with what is happening in parts of California - snow, hale, etc. - you have to wonder. But, of course, there are still the climate change deniers....  My theory about much of what is happening in our world today is that the Universe is making every effort to tell us something, that there are things we need to do differently, but we refuse to listen.

As you know, I had a very nice birthday with friends. It was totally delightful and much appreciated, and it continued! My neighbors across the street, Maria and Mark, gave me a window bird feeder, which I thoroughly enjoy. It's so captivating and relaxing to watch the various visitors. I've placed it so I can see it when I'm in my "nest", as I am now writing this or reading, or watching TV. It's difficult to photograph them since the minute I stand up to move closer, they fly away. While I don't need to photograph them all, there is the occasional one I'd like to get a shot of in order to figure out what it is. It's also a good opportunity to improve me camera skills.

My decluttering efforts continue. I've taken a load of items to the thrift shop and cleared my junk room, again making it a bedroom. The plan is to continue this throughout the year. 

I did discover something worthwhile during my decluttering. I knew I had an old Ipad, which I intended to return to manufacturer setting and donate, but I had forgotten that I also had an old android tablet. Right about the time I found it, I read an article about uses for old tablets, and one was for recipes in the kitchen. Once it was charged, I deleted most of the apps and figured out how I could access recipes that are on my laptop. I also clip lots of recipes from FB, etc. using an app called Paprika, which was fully accessible. At some point, I will get rid of my printed recipe file once I'm sure that my favorites are in Paprika. It's really a clever use of an outdated product. In any case, my next big job is the garage, and this nice weather is forcing my hand. I've been putting it off until it warmed up and I no longer have an excuse! Who knows what I'll find in there?!

The first weekend of this month, Tippy, Keiran, and I went to Oatland Island Wildlife Center. I'd heard about it for a while and thought it too close not to check out. It's not too far out of Savannah and it was an overcast, cool day, but pleasant enough for walking around. Many museums, parks, etc. were open to the public that weekend and the park was heaving. While I thought some of the animal enclosures were very sparse, the bird enclosures were better. The birds are all rehabilitated and unable to survive in the wild, so that made their situation more understandable. The facility has an interesting history running the gamut from a plantation, to the Order of the Railway Conductor's home, to part of the CDC! You can read a brief history HERE, as well as peruse thier site. As is typical of us, we then looked for a restaurant for a late lunch. I had no idea what was close by, but when we asked Waze and Google, The Haunt popped up. It is strictly vegan and Chris and I had been there once before and really enjoyed it. We made our way there and had a delicious lunch - at least I enjoyed it and Tippy and Kieran assured me they did, too. It was a very pleasant way to spend a weekend afternoon.

That Friday (2/10), Chris, Tippy, Rhonda, and I got together for lunch at - you guessed it - Olive and Fig!! Chris's sisters had given me a generous gift certificate to O & F and I wanted to save it until Chris could attend. She arrived under her own stream and it was like old times. Since then, she has also picked up food at the Farmer's Market and brought it over for lunch. It was from a food truck whose owner/chef got rave reviews recently and is within weeks of

opening a restaurant in Bluffton (called Okan, meaning heart and soul) serving West African, Caribbean, Lowcountry food. The vegetarian food we had was delicious and I figure his restaurant will have a more expansive selection. 

It took me a little while to figure out who was behind the surprise Valentine's Day gift of tasty cookies. Come to find out, it was Chris, out and about early playing the Valentine's Day fairy! I had checked with neighbors, all of whom denied the generous deed. I had thought of Chris but ruled her out since I didn't think she had a pass. When she came over for lunch and said she didn't need a pass (she had the one used to go to Lynn's for my birthday dessert), she went to the top of the list again!! Sure enough, she was the sweet person who made my day! Thanks again, Chris.

My other endeavor is to get back into Zentangle again. I only remember one art class of any kind in my life (not that I didn't have them but they obviously left no impression) and I have no artistic ability, but this has enough structure (combining patterns) that I think I can do it and possibly improve. It also gets its name because of the Zen quality of the drawing process, and I can definitely use that!  As you can see, I started big, with no practice; but even so, I'm hoping to improve however I approach it (not interested in just doing individual patterns. I want to see something that looks complete!!). The only problem is that I haven't developed a routine. I haven't found enough time to do it regularly, and I think I'll need to do that in order to see improvement. Anyway, it's still on my radar.

I meant to mention last time how much I enjoyed Bono's book Surrender. Usually, when I say READ, I mean listen to an audiobook, which I do when I take my walk, when I walk Rosie, in the car, etc. It's a great use of times like those and they are especailly enjoyable when narrated by the author, as this one was. Anyway, I had no idea he was a religious as he is and, which I knew he was a human rights activist, I had no idea of the extext. He's also met anyone and everyone you would want to me in this lifetime. Definitely worth the listen. And if you're into animals, The Elephant Whisperer was also great.

I hope this finds everyone well and enjoying life whereever you are. I'll leave you with this cute photo of Rosie and her boyfriends, Felix and Henry. They love taking all the toys out of the basket and playing with them on the flokati.