Leah livens things up

We were ready as we could be this morning when Anna brought her granddaughter Leah.


Mary and I had salmon, yellow squash casserole, stewed butternut squash and tomato for lunch. We're taking full advantage of the fresh produce.

Someone needs a change.

No sooner said than done.

Leah thinks she needs some bigger shoes.

It was all laughs and chases and change the diaper. Mary doesn't have the heart to leave Leah in the play pen all day. "Jail", some call it.

spaced out

Slept well, I think.

Mary gave Mother the full treatment today. A permanent. That left little time for cooking. Mother and I had chicken pot pies. They were good. Mary had a bowl of leftovers potpourri layered over with Habanero & tomato sauce. Apple and peach appetizers. Strawberry shortcake for dessert.

Mary and Mother at cards.

Mother was pretty spaced out. She remarked that she was ninety. "Ninety-one", I corrected her. She looked at me unbelieving. "How do yo know?" I told her to subtract her year of birth from this year. "What year was I born?", she asked innocently.

124 lbs.

81.7 °F, clear. (835 Yell Rd 1/8 mile S downtown square)

cascade

George Eldredge gives Dorsey Keaton and Broderick Crawford the low down.

Partied last night with George Eldredge and Dorsey Keaton in episode "Mistaken Identity". Eldredge had a busy career playing middle-aged and elderly men in bit parts. This episode is one of the very few appearances of Keaton on the screen. Little is know about her. Too bad.
Wayne Heffley looks over boss Broderick Crawford's shoulder.

Followed this up with Bing Russell and Wayne Heffley in episode "Hostage Family Copter". Russell was a busy fellow, though never winning a leading part, as far as I know. Heffley had a long varied career, ending with soap "Days of our Lives".

Got to thinking this morning. Can't chew on the right side of my mouth. Need three crowns and a root canal, but don't trust my dentist. One scooter is on its last legs. The other needs a new battery. The living room TV no longer listens to the remote. Mary's recliner chair won't un-recline. The office to garage door will not close. My computer and internet connection needs serious upgrading. And, the unthinkable...Mother's bank statement comes end of next week.

A veritable cascade of bad news. But, that's alright. Cause, you know what? Mary and I have each other and I can still chew on one side. So, there!

Called brother Marion to find out how he was doing after his final procedure Tuesday. He was worried. Asked me if I could come over and explain how his monitor works. Didn't even know if it was on or off. The explanatory DVD ran too fast for him to absorb. And, he couldn't make head nor tail out of all the documentation that came with the apparatus. I said sure. After lunch.


Took a lot of encouragement, but Mary agreed to cook carrots the way I wanted for lunch. We had them with snap beans, spicy cheese tamales, squash casserole and tomatoes. She admitted that the carrots tasted alright.

Marcelino fixes Mary's recliner.

Our invaluable handyman Marcelino was in the neighborhood, dropped in to help Mary with some repairs. Unblocked the recliner mechanism. Unblocked the TV's remote sensor and adjusted the garage door. All in about half an hour. No charge, this time. :-) Wish Marcelino were a dentist too.

John doing what he's always has.

Mary and I now had time to pay Marion a visit. We found him in fair spirits. I watched his instructional DVD a couple of times and carefully showed him how all the buttons and dials worked, then explained that the device is only for checking and programming his implant. The doctor had taken care of the programming. I divined that Delores already understood all this, but for some reason was unable to communicate it to her husband.

We talked Dentists. What Marion and Delores told me did nothing to increase my confidence in Dr. Rector. :-(

Mary with Delores' aloe. As always, Delores hid from the camera as best she could.

Before leaving, Delores showed Mary her big aloe plant, then gave her some of its offspring to take home. Marion followed me to the car. Hated to see me go.

Since we were already out, Mary and I headed for Walmart to get gas and buy pots to replant aloes and our little bamboo plant. We also purchased a sack each of pebbles and potting soil. Mary saw a large carpet marked way down and decided it was time to replace the old smelly one in the living room. All totaled less than a hundred dollars.


Mayor Bingham

At check out, I was glad-handed by our new mayor, Jim Bingham. Knew him from the days we were both on the County Board of Commissioners. He recalled the services my late father and brother had done for the community. Jim is a true politician.

Mary was worn out from man-handling all her booty. She will be sore tomorrow.

76.8 °F, clear. (Chapel Hill)

busy

We were a little late getting started this morning. Mary had not slept well.

Steve called about Mother's investment account. I gave the go ahead for some buys and sells.


Mary added fresh tomatoes and stewed some butternut squash to go with leftovers for our lunch. Very tasty. The casserole seems to get better with each re-heating.


We had a lot to pack into the afternoon. After coffee and news, we headed to the Taylor farm for eggs. Seems they always have something interesting going on in their yard. This time, it was doves in the cages. Where did they come from? What was their purpose? When Mary came back out to the Durango from the house with our eggs, she had no answer.

From the Taylors, we went to Kroger for my Symbicort and Amlodipine. Then, we did our weekly Walmart shopping. As Mary was getting through the checkout lane, I sat outside soaking in the much appreciated rays. It was not too hot to enjoy them. This was might near a perfect day.

Thus waiting, I spied Nayeimi, Margarita's daughter; Barbara Boyette, former director of our local CDC; and possibly Larry Barlar, private eye.

We arrived home too close to supper time to watch our Netflix movie. Just chilled out with coffees. Mary lay on the couch. Been suffering allergic symptoms since clothes shopping yesterday. I too was overcome briefly by the cloth and/or chemicals.

More butternut squash were waiting for us on the front porch where brother George had left them. After his boasting, I expected more.

It's good when one is busy the whole day. No time to mope or stew. My entire week promises to be that way.

71.2 °F, partly cloudy.

working out

Exhausted when I turned in last. night. The roller coaster wears me out.

We got Leah again today. This may turn into an every Monday thing. Don't think Mary could handle more than one day a week.

I called Sam at Collins and Miller Insurance. Received a satisfactory explanation of Mother's charges on her commercial policy. But, they still seem awfully high.


Tilapia for lunch, with steamed okra, butternut squash and our heirloom tomatoes.

Leah slept through a thunderstorm.

Finally got a hold of Kathy at Designed Conveyor. (ex.101) We straightened out some confusion over invoices and payments.

Everything seems to be working out.

76.5 °F, scattered clouds. (835 Yell Rd 1/8 mile S downtown square)

fresh and home grown

Rained on and off all day.

We had 12:30 pm appointments with Dr. Tidmore. Ate lunch at Hardees in Winchester. I had the hamburger kids meal. Mary had a Little Thickburger. They gave her an extra one by mistake.

Waiting for Dr. Tidmore: Mary strikes the standard pose.

We were ushered into #3 examination room soon after we arrived. But then had to wait a good while. Everything was routine, except Mary and I both had our carotids examined. Both the technician and the doc where impressed with my blood flow. Unusually good for my age.

Mary and I passed through a pretty intense rainstorm on the way back.


X-rated squash?

We had just enough time for coffees before supper. George, riding his golf cart, brought us butternut squash from his garden. Claimed he had about a hundred. A slight exaggeration methinks. Later he brought home-grown tomatoes from his house.

Francisco, John, Cesar and Humberto

Around suppertime, Humberto popped in for a visit with two of his Colombian friends he brought from Murfreesboro, Francisco and Cesar. When they got ready to leave, Mary gave them squash to carry home. We certainly can't eat "a hundred" just the two of us.

Fresh Parsley and Orange Mint for our evening teas.

Productive and satisfying day.

good girl

We were up earlier than usual. Anna brought Leah over about 9:15 am. Today has been a getting used to each other day.

The Medical Necessities technician came to check the oxygen concentrator and replace parts. Leah really lit up when she saw him. He resembles her daddy somewhat.


Mary had no problem feeding Leah. The squash and corn was just what she wanted.


My lunch was a seared salmon steak with home-grown tomato, steamed green beans almondine and stewed butternut squash.

Leah took an hour nap in the play pen like a good girl. When she woke, Mary changed her diaper, the only time today.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="768"] Chocolate Mint (Mentha piperita)[/caption]

I took my Sony out. Discovered the Chocolate Mint is in bloom.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="900"] Orange Mint (Mentha citrata)[/caption]

The Orange Mint was too.

Denise just picked up Leah. Mission accomplished.

80.1 °F, partly cloudy.

Swatch

I had a semi-annual check in with Dr. Heflin at Core Physicians. 10:45 am. Went well. He told me my x-rays show no further deterioration in the scoliosis. I'll take that.

Doc cautioned me to use the oxygen concentrator at night. Low oxygen levels while I sleep might affect my heart.

On the way back, we stopped at the former Shady Brook Mall, now Columbia Mall. Went in the west end. Sears had left. Everything but Radio Shack closed down. Spooky. On the other end, there was still action. We found Ev's Jewelry.

Outside the mall there was a banner advertizing that watch batteries could be replaced here. Mary had to give Ev's a try. No jeweler so far had been able to replace the battery in Mary's Swatch that she bought in Paris. Rick tended us. Said he'd been in that location sixteen years. Lamented the new mall owners trying to turn the building into a regular mall, instead of the family friendly place it was. Removing the fountain, cutting down the trees, etc. Customers deserted. Old stores fled.


Rick spent a lot of time on Mary's watch. He finally said a new battery was installed. $10+. We got to talking. Rick, had a plaque on the wall, awarded on the occasion of his hole in one at our Recreation Center course. Turned out he was from our neck of the woods.

I restocked on Madeira at the Oasis before Mary and I took a late lunch at the nearby Sonic. I had to try the new Cheesy Bacon Pretzel Dog. (430 calories) Surprised at how good it was. Mary had the Grilled Chicken Sandwich. (450 calories) Didn't like it at all. Said the chicken was sancochado.

I was tired by the time we returned home. Been a while since I drove so much, most of it in heavy traffic.

After Supper, George dropped by with more okra and squash from his garden. I learned that Stuart was having a party at his house tomorrow in honor of his birthday. Supposedly, "everybody" is invited. Hmmm. If George hadn't told me, would I have ever known? Was I meant to know? Go away bad thoughts.

Anyway, tomorrow is Mother's day here.

Mary says her Swatch still won't run the way it should. Called Rick at Ev's that viejo jediondo. Sigh.

81.7 °F, clear.

lively

Partied last night with Sam Buffington in episode "Trojan Horse", then with Angela Stevens in episode "Female Hitchhiker".

I dodged the bullet this time, as we soon headed into town. Felt better on the road. After Mary picked up her watch at the jeweler's, we lunched at Wendy's using coupons that just arrived in the mail. Kid's meal, four tiny chicken nuggets and fries, for me. Cheeseburger and fries for Mary.

George came early with more beans from his garden. Left me with a check from Equi-Tech for Mother. Filling out the deposit slip later, I felt a case of nerves coming on. Mary couldn't understand it, until I explained that it reminded me of the larger problem. It is like when she sees snakes on the TV. They are not real, only images. But, she closes her eyes or leaves the room nevertheless. In my case, I can't close my eyes or leave. And, when Mother's bank statement arrives, I have to stair into the face of the snake for hours.



In Walmart, we ran into nephew Stuart's Tiffany. She was shopping on her break from work at the dentist office. We told how much we missed seeing their Hudson. She agreed to bring him over to our house, though I doubt she follows through. We discussed Stuart's birthday today. She will have a German chocolate cake for him at their place. I didn't manage to wrangle an invitation. That's the way she is.


Back home, Mary and I had coffees, then set up the Samsung C350 Series S24C350HL 23.6-Inch Screen LED-Lit Monitor we bought at Walmart to replace the old glitchy one. Took us a while. Nice wide screen with 1920x1080 resolution makes organizing photos a lot easier. Maybe I'll upgrade my emachines a little later to go with it.


After supper, we had a surprise visit from nephew Joel and his niece Leah. Brought us okra from George's garden.:-) Leah enjoyed one of our peaches.


We had to hold on tight to Leah. She was as lively as ever.

Been a good day.

76.3 °F, clear.