Race Weekend

For the first time in at least 15 years, I had two tickets for the Indianapolis 500. (Long story, which I won't go into here.) I invited my sister to come, since we used to go every year together, and I knew she would enjoy it. She arrived on Saturday afternoon. Good to have her on my turf!! She arrived at about 3:00 PM. After almost four hours on the road, she needed to decompress a bit before we headed out to pick up food and drinks to take to the race. We made four stops, then came home with our goodies to cook, mix, and pack for Sunday's adventure. We settled on chicken breast "tenders" and boneless honey barbecue wings from Aldi's, and cole slaw from KFC (of course!). For drinks, we packed water, Diet Pepsi, wine, Mojitos, and hand-mixed Manhattans. We threw in some chips and some chocolate, just in case.

Sunday morning dawned bright and early. We were leaving for the airport to ride the shuttle buses to the race by 7:30 AM. Unfortunately, exactly where we were to park at the airport wasn't clearly marked, so we ended up in a "long term" lot for $12 a day, then headed to the terminal to catch the bus. It wasn't a bad walk, but we weren't exactly sure where we were going. We didn't catch the first bus out. That cost us seeing the Parade of Bands that starts at the track at 8:00. Also, where the bus let us off was nowhere close to the track but was probably about the same distance that we used to walk from our old "premium" spot at a funeral home on 16th Street. I think we were at our seats at the track by 9:15 or so. We ate a hot dog for breakfast, took a short tour of the infield area, and came back to sit. The time went quickly. By the time we headed back to our seats, the crowd had increased considerably. Race Day!

The day was HOT. The best I heard was 96 humid degrees. Thankfully, our seats were under cover. If not, I couldn't have endured. Reports on TV said 1500 people were treated for heat-related illness. Track surface temperatures exceeded 130 degrees. It was reported on the track PA that it was the hottest race on record. I believe it! I perspired buckets. Could not bring myself to touch the alcoholic drinks we had packed. Although I drank water and pop, I didn't have to use the restroom the entire day, which indicated to me that I was sweating out everything I was ingesting. Still, I love the Indy 500!!

There were a couple of funny moments. One had to do with a fellow that sat by my daugher, Megan, two years ago, then wasn't there last year...then reappeared this year. He was really looking forward to seeing her since he is recently divorced. The joke was on him when we announced that Meg was remarried and living in California.

Another "funny" moment came after I told my sister that, as many years as I had come to the race, and as many years as I have lived here, I never ran into anyone I knew. Then...sitting directly below me in the next row, was a family that looked so familiar... Since most of the people in the box are Greencastle/Cloverdale people, I assumed I knew them from my previous life. I finally tapped one on the shoulder and said, "You people look so familiar. Are you from Cloverdale?" The wife of the family looked at me and said, "Peg!" It turned out to be the Gore family from my former school district (Monrovia). Husband (school board member), wife (cheerleading sponsor), and daughter (Valedictorian). I felt so stupid...but it was nice to connect with them!

When the race was over, Shari and I waited to see the winner drink his quart of milk, then headed toward the bus pickup site. It was sunny. It was hot. I was melting. Fortunately, we didn't have to wait too long to be loaded onto a bus back to the airport. Unfortunately, the AC on the bus wasn't working. We were back at our car at the airport in an hour. Not too bad considering the traffic. By the time we hit Plainfield and the other grandparents' house where my grandchildren had spent the day while Daddy and Stepmommy attended the race right with us, it was 6:00. We spent an hour visiting, then came home, totally pooped!!!

The children are growing up right under my nose! They are so tall and so handsome and smart. I miss them terribly! Looks like they will be here on a weekend near the end of June. I'll take what I can get!

Shari and I--gluttons for punishment--watched the race broadcast on TV as we ate our supper. Television gives perspectives that you don't get in attendance, but watching it on TV is NEVER the same as actually being there! When we went to bed last night, we went to bed plenty tired, but plenty happy that we had been able to share the time together.

My sister left for Illinois around 1:45, her time. I got a call a few hours later that she got home safely and that her husband and dog were happy to see her. We had a good time! I don't have any hope of having tickets next year, but I am grateful that we had some this year. (Thank you, Megan!)

Thanks be to God...these moments are precious. In spite of the challenges, I wouldn't have changed a thing!

Big, Long, Hot Day

I would like to make a post tonight, but it is too late and I am too tired! Stay tuned tomorrow!

:)

Memorial Day

The next few days are going to be busy, so I guess I should cover the weekend's soapbox issues now. Expecting my sissy tomorrow. I hope the weekend will be fun!!

It seems that America has now focused Memorial Day on military veterans who gave all. Don't get me wrong: I come from a long line of veterans and give them their due every chance I get, but isn't that what Veteran's Day is for?? I prefer to consider Memorial Day as the day to honor ALL of our loved ones who have gone before. I am too far away from my family's cemetery to decorate their graves on Memorial Day but am grateful to Aunt Rosie who continues to do that. The past few years, Megan and the children and I toured nine cemeteries in Putnam County here in Indiana each Memorial Day to leave a tiny flower or something to remember her ancestors on her father's side of the family. Some of those visits were funny; some were touching; and some were strange.

The Fillmore, IN, cemetery where Megan's McNary grandparents are buried is a lovely place, but it is in such a small town that there is NO public restroom anywhere that we could find. I was getting desperate...I mean REALLY desperate. Thankfully, the cemetery has an outhouse! Ahhh....

It was in that same cemetery that Megan was near her grandparents' graves and a butterfly landed on her. I guess there is a legend about butterflies representing the spirits of those we love. She was tearful thinking that her grandparents were giving her a message.

Again, in that cemetery, Ryan found the grave of a child. (He was still in diapers...quite young.) There were little toys on/near the gravestone. He stayed at that site for a long time, talking to himself or to someone invisible. At times, the rest of us wandered somewhat far from him, keeping our eye on him, but he was content to stay there all by himself. A bit later, he talked about a friend there... Gave me goosebumps.

In search of the New Providence Cemetery, we turned too soon and ended up on a rut-road that ran over a creek and up a steep hill through some woods. There was no way to turn around. I wasn't sure we would make it! When we finally got to the top, it opened up into a small clearing of maybe six houses, called "Sunshine Praise Point." Apparently it is a small religious community. Not wishing to go back the way we came, we stopped a young man who was outside and asked if there was another way out. He laughed and said, "Nope". We turned around and made it back down to US 40--although I'm not sure how--and determined not to make that wrong turn again!

At the New Providence Cemetery, we found Meg's ancestors. Interestingly, there was a little play area for children at the entrance of the place. The kids ran off to play there while Megan and I looked for gravestones. When we called the children back to the car, the little dress Robin was wearing was covered with something yellow and yucky on the front. I assumed the worst, asking her if she had thrown up on herself. She said she had...but minutes later, her brother ratted on her. She had found a robin's egg and somehow managed to smash it on herself... (That particular dress also got irreparably torn going under a barbed wire fence at another cemetery that same day. It was the only time Robin wore it! I hated that!)

In another cemetery (I can see it in my mind but can't remember the name--Mount Olive or something?) Ryan made a comment that I found interesting. He pointed to some gravestones and said, "At least we aren't trapped." After a few questions, I came to understand that, in his little mind, he believed that his mother's relatives were trapped inside the gravestones. Oh, the minds of children!

Megan had been seeking the gravestones of some of her Bryan ancestors in a huge cemetery in Greencastle, IN. When we approached the place, I understood that it would be like looking for a needle in a haystack, but I pointed the car toward what looked like an older section of the cemetery and stopped toward the top of a hill. "Oh! There's a Bryan!" I said. Meg hadn't seen it yet. "Which one?" I said the name, and she let out a shriek. It was the very Bryan she had been looking for. We totally lucked out on that! One of the stones had been removed--that of a cousin, Pearl Bryan, who had been murdered and decapitated back in the 1800s. Vandals had removed her headstone a number of times, so all that remains is the base stone to which people have affixed pennies, "heads" side up, so that Pearl might find her head somewhere in Heaven. (Her head was never recovered. The story of Pearl Bryan can be found on the Internet. Big deal!)

One cemetery story that I find sad to this day is that of Alexander Farrow--maybe Megan's great-great-great-grandfather (could even be another "great" on there). He was a pioneer statesman in Indiana...even served on the state's Constitutional Convention. Father of 12 or 13 children. Gave part of his land as a final resting place for his family and others. Their gravestones now stand largely unattended in the middle of a business that sells golf carts and horse trailers at the intersection of Rockville Road and SR 231 in Putnam County. Such undignified surroundings for such a dignified man and his family!

There are those who might think that our cemetery wanderings are weird, but I find them to be peaceful places. My grandmother used to take us to Moon Point Cemetery in Illinois where most of my family is buried...to have picnics. Far from being afraid of ghostly presences, I find peace in cemeteries.

On a brighter note, one time (after several cemetery excursions) we were taking the grandchildren to visit some family. One of them declared, "We are going to visit relatives that are alive!" I thought that was cute. Happy Memorial Day weekend, my friends!

What Are the Odds?

What are the odds that:

1. I'd let the blog so from Sunday to Thursday without posting on it? (Where does the time go?)
2. I'd pinch my skin in closing lids...not once but twice on the same day?
3. I'd get caught in a toad-strangler thunderstorm with only a leaky old umbrella...and two blocks from the car?
4. I'll get all of the garbage--including bags of sprouting maple seeds from the gutters--to the curb before the trucks come in the morning?
5. It WON'T rain for the race on Sunday?
6. I'll find my little folding poncho--the one that I just saw a week ago, somewhere in the house--before the race on Sunday?
7. I'll actually have the house clean enough for company by Saturday?
8. Anybody cares what the odds are??

I've had a busy week. So much to do but so little time! My sister is coming this weekend for the race. I can't remember the last time she was here, but it sure will be nice to have her on my turf, even if my turf ain't purdy! Normally, I'd be in an absolute panic about now, wondering how I would get everything done before she gets here...but I have decided that life is too short to be worried about dust and dirt. I will relax and enjoy our time together without the stress of perfection--which couldn't occur even if I worked full-tilt to make it happen!

As of today, I've been officially retired for one year. There are benefits, of course...but I've been through a hell of a year at home. I think I've been through all of the "firsts" now. Maybe the next year will be better. I can hope! (Teachers look at years as August to May---not January to December.) Anyway...past my bedtime!

This Is Going to Sound Strange, but...

I picked the hottest day of the year, so far, to decide to do outside work! I scheduled a former student of mine to come over and do some work for me, and a radio friend who volunteered to come clean my gutters finally found some free time. So, after church, here I was...outside...sweating buckets in the 88-degree heat. And I wasn't even working hard!

The student (Steve) got all of my twigs and branches picked up from around the house where I had piled them all fall, winter, and spring. (They totally filled one big garbage can.) I swept maple seeds (again) and filled another garbage can. Then Steve went around the house and fence cutting volunteer trees (maples, mulberry, and trees of heaven)...and another one that I didn't recognize. That filled the third garbage can. I am now out of garbage cans...BUT, when Steve left, Dave (N9XOQ) came and filled seven garbage bags with sprouted maple seeds. The front of the house looks a WHOLE lot better, but garbage pickup doesn't happen until Friday. Until then, people are going to be stuck looking at all that garbage!

On Thursday morning, I woke up to "snow" on the bedroom TV. Hmmm... I checked the living room TV...the one with the digital converter attached...and it was fine. Comcast--my cable company--had apparently finally flipped the switch that made the transition to all digital. That meant that only one TV, the one in the living room, would work until I could get more boxes. Decided to do that on Friday. Well...the nearest Comcast office is in Speedway, IN, (which is really Indianapolis). I had the address but got messed up on High School Road which doesn't go straight through to the street that I needed. Stopped and asked directions and got put back on track by a gal at a gas station, but she warned me that she had been to the Comcast office just the day before and had to wait in line for two hours to get her converter boxes. She said, "If you see people standing outside the door, just keep on driving...and try to get there just when they open the next day." She was right: there were people standing outside the door, but the sign on the door only showed Monday-Friday office hours...and this was Friday. I had already scheduled a technician to come Monday to install the boxes (even though they are "self-install"), so I knew I had to bite on the bullet and just wait. Thus, I took a number and waited my turn with all of the other grumbling patrons. Fortunately, my wait was ONLY one hour.

The whole TV thing left me in a quandary. I frequently have two TVs on in the house...for company...for background noise because it gets too quiet here. I usually sleep with the TV on all night in my bedroom, just so that when I wake up in the night--as I always do now--I have that for company. Well...that TV was out of commission, so I decided to sleep on the couch/futon without making it into a bed. Not a good idea! Didn't sleep well at all...but that is what I have done every night since Friday. Thankfully, tomorrow's visit from the Comcast technician should fix that problem. I can sleep in my own bed again. Yay!

Another thing I worked on today was the inside of my buggy. Just before I went to Dayton, the mechanic who worked on my car had changed the position of the steering wheel, and the steering column, which wasn't visible to me before, suddenly became obvious to me...and it was filthy! Then I got to looking around inside. Whoa! Such dirt! To be honest, I can't remember the last time that I spent any time cleaning the interior (except to vacuum). I went out and bought some ArmorAll wipes and had at it. I only did the front seat doors and dashboard, but I can tell you that I will probably have to go out and buy more wipes! What a mess! It looks better...but still...!

I also actually bought and planted some flowers today! I bought only as many as I knew I could plant in the time I had allotted. Will need more, but there are still plenty available. Baby steps! Last year, I didn't plant any because the patio wasn't usable. The year before, I bought a flat that just sat by the patio until my neighbor, who was helping me haul junk, took notice of them and offered to save them by planting them in his yard. Yes, please! The only flowers I had last season were in a planter that Grandma Judy and Grandpa Phil gave me as a retirement gift. They bloomed all season!

It is supposed to be hot again tomorrow. The plan is to finish the car cleaning, mow the lawn, then work inside during the hotter hours. I had wanted to have the grandchildren here for this weekend, but they were vising with my ex and his wife, so I'll have to try again. Not sure when they are actually done with school... Gearing up for my sister's visit over Memorial Day weekend. I can't remember the last time she was here! Maybe my 56th birthday party...which was seven years ago. I look forward to having her on MY turf (although HER turf is prettier and has a swimming pool). Love you, Shari!

Oh...have I mentioned that I love my church? Today, the Chancel Choir sang The Holy City, a song that I used to sing as a solo in my grandparents' tiny church, The Ancona (IL) Church of Christ. I was either still in high school or slightly beyond. The only accompaniment I had was Clarice Ringer at the piano. (That little church had theater seats--not pews. I counted one time: 50 seats!) Today's rendition was complete with soloist, piano, brass, and drums. Fantastic! Their other number (with which I was not familiar) was just as dynamic. We are so blessed to have two really good Directors of Music. Grandpa Phil keeps working on me to join the choir. I wish I could. My voice is just shot... It is the music in church that gets to me. Of course, Pastor Ted always hits the mark with his leadership and sermons. He is the only pastor I have known in all of my years of church attendance who can keep a sermon focused without notes. I don't miss a Sunday anymore. I get so much more than I give...

So now I am dirty and grungy from the day's efforts. I suppose I will sleep in the living room again, but I have direction for tomorrow. Let's roll!

Bret Michaels

The Oprah Show had Bret Michaels as a guest via satellite today. Bret Michaels is a rock "star" who had a sub-arachnoid brain hemorrhage back in April...and lived to tell about it. In that regard, he and I have something in common. I also had a sub-arachnoid bleed almost three years ago, caused by a ruptured aneurysm. He and I are members of the 20% who survive without disability. (He is in rehab with some lingering problems. I didn't even have those!)

I couldn't help but compare our experiences as he talked. He said it was as if something popped in his head. The headache was so bad that he instantly knew he was in trouble and asked his woman to take him to an emergency room, but when they got there, he didn't want anyone around him. He didn't want to move out of the car. He explained that he still has problems with his extremities and his head still hurts, but he is expected to make a full recovery. At least he sought immediate treatment. I wasn't so wise!

When visiting at my sister's in Illinois late on a Saturday evening in late July, I suddenly got a huge headache. Nothing popped, but I was aware that it felt like my head was going to explode in the back...and the base of my skull hurt. The most miserable part, however, was the instant wave of nausea. I made it upstairs to the bathroom just in time, and was sick as a dog the rest of the night. Every time I attempted to throw up, my head and neck would just kill me. My sister supplied me with two ice packs--one for my head and one for my neck. She wanted to take me to the hospital, but I didn't feel good enough to go! Toward noon the next day, I was finally not throwing up so much, but my head still hurt. I knew I wouldn't be driving home that day. Finally, in the afternoon, I agreed to go to an immediate care facility. They did a quick CT scan which confirmed a brain bleed. I got a helicopter ride to Peoria, a craniotomy, a clipped aneurysm...and the rest is history.

Unlike Mr. Michaels, my family was not advised to gather because of my condition (although they gathered anyway). I never lost consciousness, never lost strength or feeling in my extremities, never lost vision or hearing, and never lost any memory. I never felt afraid that I was going to die. I just wanted to get it all over with so I could go home.

After the surgery, I felt better. My head still hurt a little, but not from the surgery. (I was told that the headache would last for about two weeks, and that's exactly as long as it did last. Then gone!) Even though I was told that people are usually in the hospital for15 days, I was sent home in seven. My incision didn't require surgical drains. My head wasn't totally shaved. They brought in a physical therapist to assess my walking ability and determined that I didn't need any physical rehabilitation! I didn't look very pretty--staples in my head and two black eyes--but I was alive!

The neurosurgeon that I was referred to at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis removed the staples and advised me that I couldn't drive for awhile, nor was I supposed to be left alone for about three weeks, due to the risk of vasospasm...and he didn't want me to return to teaching until after Labor Day. A number of people came to help out, but I got my daughter to let me manage by myself after about a week of being babysat. I got an extra three weeks of summer vacation. I didn't mind!

I really must write to Mr. Michaels and welcome him to the Twenty Percent Club. Should I??

Dateline: Dayton, OH

Time: Mid-May.

Location: Hara Arena in Dayton, Ohio

Event: The Dayton Hamvention

Why: Because it's there!



For the 13th year, N9QT (that's me) attended the annual Dayton Hamvention--the granddaddy of all radio "hamfests" in the US. 'Tis a 3-day event, complete with huge flea market outside, commercial vendors inside, forums, and fun. This year, for the first time in awhile, the weather cooperated. No rain!



On Thursday afternoon, I hooked up with SATERN's National Director (Major Pat) and his wife (Major Carmella) from Michigan, and a SATERN contingent from Chicago, here in Indy for the two-hour trip eastward to Dayton. We go the evening before in order to set up the SATERN booth, collect our credentials and parking passes, and have a little fellowship before heading for lodging at a University of Dayton dormitory. We hit heavy rain along the trip, but it was over by the time we arrived at the arena. (Heard that there were a couple of fatalities on interstate 70 over the weekend. Saw one of those wrecks last year on my way there. Thankfully, they happened this year when we were already in place.) We ate at a Chinese buffet before leaving for the dorm. Good food and good company.



Getting to the dorm is always a problem for me. The U of D is across the river and up on a hill. I've been there many years--always in different dorms--and I always get lost. The dorms aren't well marked, some of the streets have 2-3 names each, and it just gets frustrating. Once again, I knew there were out-of-state people relying on me to get us there. And once again, I got us lost! (Don't ask me how because I simply don't know!) When we finally arrived, it was dark, the dorm office was up a flight of stairs (as was the rest of the dorm), and the parking lot for the vehicles was down the hill with a lot of steps to get back to the dorm. Ugh! Major Pat has pneumonia and really struggled for breath to get up and down. Major Carmella has been suffering from "shingles" for the last month. I'm not in the best shape. In short, getting our stuff in and out of the HUGE dormitory was a bit of a challenge, but we managed.

Unlike other years, all of the U of D "hamfesters" were put in the same dorm, so my home club guys were on the same floor as my SATERN group, so I was able to visit with both. That was fun for me! The rest of the weekend was a whirlwind of manning the SATERN booth, visiting with folks I hadn't seen since the year before, and shopping at the hamfest. One friend showed up at Dayton for the first time in what? Ten years? And the walls didn't even cave in! (You know who you are, N5CEC!) I didn't buy a thing except for some junk food here and there.

This year's SATERN forum focus was on Haiti. We had three speakers planned, but an addition was made at the last minute: a ham operator from Port-au-Prince, Haiti. My job as forum moderator is to give an invocation (prayer), introduce the speakers, and make sure that they stay on schedule so we vacate the room in time for the next forum. (There is a 15-minute break between forums.) Our Haitian speaker was last on the docket. I knew nothing about Jean-Robert or what he planned to present. He assured me that he had prepared a 15-minute program, which would fit right into our schedule. The rest of the speakers focused on their deployment to Haiti after the devastating earthquake, but Jean-Robert was there and lived through it. The audience hung on to his every emotional word. The dear man broke down a number of times, but he carried on. Then it was time for us to wrap up, but J-R was still going. I let him run overtime by about five minutes...but then the next group burst through the doors to set up for their forum. (When the next group figured out what was going on, they quieted down and listened respectfully.) I got up and stood next to J-R, hoping he'd get the message that it was time to wrap up his speech, but he was still going. Finally...reluctantly...I had to whisper to him that it was time to quit. The audience applauded. I hugged him. We took pictures. Then we retired to the lobby for anyone who might wish to stay to ask questions.

Jean-Robert apologized for his emotions and worried that he didn't do well. He was assured by his Florida escorts--and the rest of us--that he had the audience enthralled. He said that every time he gets up to speak about the earthquake, the horrid pictures of "dead bodies everywhere" and a school of children without food or water keep coming back to him. One of our Salvation Army officers mentioned to him in private that he is obviously suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and needs to talk to someone to help him debrief. I hope he actually gets that help!

Everywhere we went to eat--all seven of us from the SATERN booth--we were greeted by people who sought us out to thank us for the work that The Salvation Army does in the world. At Golden Corral, one Haitian native who now lives in Pennsylvania came to our table to express his gratitude for helping his homeland. I could write a book about the number of times that military veterans have come up to me or others in the SATERN/Salvation Army organization to mention being far from home, scared, and finding The Salvation Army there to offer a hot cup of coffee and a donut without charge. One man who did that was a member of my own home radio club, and he welled up with tears as he mentioned it...something that had happened over 50 years ago!

The weather for this year's Hamvention was quite good. It rained heavily on us on our way there on Thursday. Sunday, on our way home, there were sprinkles, but the rest of the weekend was sunny and not hot. Perfect!

So now the Dayton Hamvention is over for another year. It is exhausting, but fun. I didn't sleep well. (Note to self: next year, bring a fan for night "noise".)

A couple of "funnies":

Funny #1: In trying to connect with the Chicago and Michigan contingents on Thursday, we were all on the 146.700 repeater, trying to meet on the east side of Indy. Major Pat started in on his favorite joke, which I have heard dozens of times: "What do you call a beautiful woman in Indiana? Tourist!" Before he could even get the punchline out, on a repeater that has at least a 70-mile-radius reception, I jokingly told Pat to "stick a sock in it" because the joke is old and worn out. Friday at the Hamvention, a fellow came to the SATERN booth and mentioned that he wanted to meet me because he had distinctly heard me tell someone on the air to "stick a sock in it". I laughed out loud! Were I not so comfortable on the air locally, I wouldn't have done that...but lesson learned. You never know who is listening!

Funny #2: On Sunday morning, I was awake at 4:00 AM. Couldn't stay in bed anymore, so I got up and putzed around my room for awhile, then decided to go outside to check out the weather at 5:00. It was still dark. I took a couple of things down to my car so I wouldn't have to make two trips later. As I approached the steps to go back up the hill to the dorm, here came another ham operator.
ME: Oh, another early bird!
HE: Yeah...I couldn't sleep in that strange bed.
ME: I know. I was awake at 4:00.
HE: I fell out of bed at 4:00!
ME: You fell out of bed??
HE: Yep. Rolled over in that skinny little bed, and PLOP!
I laughed in sympathy. He went on his way to his vehicle and I went back to my room. Bet he had tales to tell when he got home!

So that's my report, and I'm sticking to it.
Haven't done much since I got home. That has to change.
Two nice things though--I saw a red-winged blackbird in the yard today...and a hummingbird! I need to get a hummer feeder out. I love those silly little birds!

Time Flies

I had all day to get ready for the Dayton Hamvention, but I didn't make good use of my time. I was quite tired today...still am...for reasons known only to God. I did shop for a birthday card for my new son-in-law, and traveled to Avon to pick him up a gift card for Lowe's. A friend mowed the front yard. I have my packing list printed. Just don't have everything pulled together for tomorrow's departure. It will happen!

I am taking my buggy back to the mechanic in the morning to have him check out why the "check engine" light is on. I really can't spare the time, but I want to make sure that everything is okay for a 2-hour trip to Dayton, and another 2 hours back.

On the surface, it looks like everything is a GO for the 500 this year. It will be a treat to have my sister here and be able to take part in the race! Everything could change at a moment's notice, however, so I am just keeping my chin out of reach for sucker punches!

I heard via my daughter that my grandson's cast has come off and he has lost his first tooth. Awww... Maybe now, finally, he'll be able to jump on the trampoline again. He only had ONE DAY before the broken arm...

I will be out of touch through the weekend. God bless you all. "See" ya when I get back! And if anyone thinks they can rob my home in my absence, be aware that the police have been contacted and so have my neighbors. Neighbor Fred is better than any watchdog!!

Ciao...

I Shock Myself, Sometimes...

Yesterday, in yet another process of cleaning my room, I came across a basket with crayons and colored pencils, leftover from when the children were here. Understand that there are hundreds of crayons and colored pencils here, but I walked around the house with these in my hands, weeping as though they were sacred relics without the children here. I realize that I am pathetic in that regard. Will I EVER get over this???

I took the car to the shop this morning for a tune-up. The gas mileage has been flagging, badly. The mechanic (who is also a ham radio friend) couldn't find much wrong, but he performed the tune-up. When I went to pick up the buggy and head back to Plainfield, the "check engine" light came on. Ain't it the pits??

Life goes on...

Another Monday

I am beginning to discover, after almost a year of retirement, that Mondays are no different from any other day of the week...so they are not so dreaded, except to be reminded that it's another week and I still haven't gotten things done!

Denis's mother arrived without much more than a 2-hour delay out of Paris, but I was somewhat surprised at the route. From Paris, the flight went straight north over the Atlantic--probably into the Arctic Circle--then came down through the whole length of Canada to the US and California. My best guess is that they were avoiding the volcanic ash cloud, but that was a doozy of a detour! Today, Luda got up with classic symptoms of jet lag. I used to think that jet lag was just another term for fatigue, but it turns out that it is a big deal. Sources on the Internet say that it takes at least one day for every time zone crossed in order to recover. Luda crossed eleven time zones!! At that rate, she might be almost recovered just about the time that she has to head back, and I guess eastbound travel is much worse than westbound. Poor lady!

I went to my radio club meeting tonight. We are planning for Field Day in June. And the Dayton Hamvention is this weekend. It used to be fun. Now it is a responsibility. Not sure if I am looking forward to it or just want it to be over.

Ugh! And again I say, "ugh"! Going to bed. Have to have the buggy in for repairs in the morning. Ciao.

O Happy Day!

I'm such a sucker for music! Music has been such a joyful part of my life since I was a child, and church (sacred) music has been a HUGE part of that. Alerted by my co-grandparent-friends who sing in the choir at our church that there would be some gospel doin's today, I went to worship in happy anticipation of what we would experience. I wasn't disappointed! We had a guest singer--an African American woman who could sing gospel with the best--accompanied by our choir, a piano, drums, and guitar. There were at least three numbers with that combination, the last of which was supposed to be a recessional--getting people out of the sanctuary--but no one would leave! They were singing "O Happy Day"--a rousing favorite of mine. No way was I going to leave and miss that!! I actually considered skipping Sunday School so I could experience it over again in the next service, but a cooler head prevailed. The service was so joyous, I almost forgot to cry (but still managed to do that during prayer). If I had never been a part of excellent music programs, perhaps I would not be so quick to brag...but the fact is that I have experienced great ones and not so great ones. I do know the difference. We are so blessed at Plainfield United Methodist Church with inspired directors and willing musicians who give worship so much more meaning for the likes of me!

When I got home from church, I was online with my daughter who told me her mother-in-law's flight number so I could track it on the Internet. Luda Shchepetov was flying in from Russia today, having not seen her son (my new son-in-law) for two years. She flew from St. Petersburg to Paris, then from Paris to the US via a hugely roundabout route that went straight north from France over the Atlantic (presumably to miss the volcanic ask cloud from Iceland), up into the Arctic Circle--way north in Canada--then down through Canada to the US. When the flight finally landed in San Francisco, I called Megan to tell her. They were en route to SF at the time. Luda still had to go through customs before she could even see her son and daughter-in-law. I suspect she will be a very tired lady for a few days. She'll be in California for a month before returning to Russia.

I admit to some lonely moments today. It's Mother's Day, after all...and I can't remember ever having to endure one without my daughter since she was born 31 years ago. I wasn't neglected, however. Meg has a Creative Memories published scrapbook coming my way, which I got to view online this morning. These books aren't cheap but are wonderful mementos of good times. I look forward to having it in my clutches.

I think the happiest Mother's Day I ever had was one when Robin was a crawler. Megan was pregnant with Ryan and was working at the golf course clubhouse that morning. She didn't know I was coming, but I brought her a McDonald's breakfast and a maternity shorts outfit. I was so in love with being a grandmother that I just totally enjoyed being there with my baby Robin and my unborn grandson...and my daughter. I do think she appreciated it, and I loved doing it. The rest is history...

What else did I do today? Laundry, mostly. (Funny how laundry used to be a HUGE deal over the weekends, but now that I am all alone again, I do maybe four loads a week.) Getting ready to gear up for the Dayton Hamvention next weekend. I have a radio club meeting tomorrow evening. I can't believe that it has been almost a year since I retired! Much of the year was lost in a horrible depression over things at home. I am better. Not great, but better. I have asked the Good Lord to let me live long enough to get this mess at home done so I am not embarrassed posthumously!

Happy Mother's Day to those of you who are mothers and might read this. There is a special place in Heaven for mothers!

Is It Saturday Already?

I spend the bulk of my day working on the trash that is my bedroom. Those of you who have followed this blog understand my challenges.

Mother's Day is tomorrow. I miss my mother like you can't believe. She was my rock. I have been forced to live without her since 1986. My niece and my granddaughter share her birthday. Coincidence? I don't think so! I love you, Mom. Happy Mother's Day!

Wednesday and Thursday

Judy and I had a lovely day for the trip to Muncie, yesterday. We arrived up there right at 8:00 AM, so it was an early morning for us! (For the uninitiated, Muncie is about 1 1/2 hours northeast of Indy, in good traffic.) Without going into a lot of detail, Grandparents' Day at the children's school was quite pleasant, but there wasn't a lot of direction about what we were to do. First, there was mass at the church. That took over an hour. Then there was a brunch for the grandparents...but the time for classroom visits was quickly waning. Before it was all over, we probably had less than ten minutes in the children's rooms...and they both looked so disappointed when we said we had to leave. We had to leave because it was my information that the whole thing was to be over by 10:30, and Grandma Judy had rearranged some responsibilities here at home in order to be there for the children. If we had it to do over again, we'd have done things differently, I'm sure. (The road to Hell is paved with good intentions!)

Today, I got a late start on the day, but finally decided that I needed to keep plugging on my bedroom. (I told you, it's not a hurry-up project!) I rearranged some things, found some things, sorted some things, and threw away a LOT of things. I even found enough of the floor to do some vacuuming! It's a wonder I can even breathe in the room with all the dust and floor crap! But it's getting better. The grandchildren will be so surprised to see Grandma's room clean! (So will Grandma!)

One week from today, I will be in Dayton, Ohio, for the yearly Hamvention. Two months from today, I will be in California. Lots to do between now and then(s)!

The Endless Task

I wish I could say that I have been working feverishly on the clutter that is my bedroom. I have been working on it, but I've been doing it half-heartedly, hardly knowing where to begin...or when it ends. I am beginning to see the floor, however...so every little bit helps.

I didn't used to be this way. Somewhere along the line, I let paperwork get ahead of me. I set things aside to work on "later, when I have more time"...only that day never arrived. Then three years ago, my daughter and grandchildren moved in. As we began to acquire toys and living space for everyone, the digging out phases were fewer and farther between as the responsibilities for laundry, etc., increased. Now, without the children here to provide motivation to get things done, I often wonder, "Why bother?"

Why bother?? Back in the early '90s, I remember going to spend a weekend at my father's. Mom had been gone for a few years. Dad was at least feeding himself by cooking things. One particular weekend, I arrived to find just about every pot and pan in the house dirty (probably two weeks' worth) soaking in water that had developed scum on top and was breeding bugs. (Seriously!) He told me he had intended to get them cleaned up before I got there, but... (You know the rest.) I spent a couple of hours cleaning up the mess, in tears because I didn't want to think that my father had to live like that. I didn't want it for him...and I don't want it for me. Thankfully, my world isn't particularly unhealthy...just cluttered. I'm working on it.

I am so thankful for the springtime. In the past three days, I have had rabbits and squirrels and a big ol' ugly 'possum in my yard. And the birds have been a hoot! (I live in town, which is why this is all particularly entertaining.) Everything is lush and green--and warm. I love that!

I will be traveling to Muncie tomorrow early morning with Grandma Judy in order to attend Grandparents' Day at the grandkids' school. Will be back by noon, then have to start focusing on getting ready for the Dayton Hamvention. Big deal! Then, after that, the Indy 500... If I were still teaching, I'd be going nuts about now, preparing for the awards ceremony, getting grades ready to export, cleaning up the classroom for summer cleaning, filling out reports, inventories, and trying to keep the lid on discipline. I don't miss it. Not even a little!

Tomorrow is Grandpa Phil's 70th birthday. Cinco de Mayo. Wish he were going with us to Muncie to be honored by the grandchildren, but Wednesday is the day he cooks for the homeless at church. You go, Grandpa!

Sabbath

Went to church. Went to Sunday School. Had a nice lunch with friends Ryan and Bonnie.
Got my prescriptions refilled.
Am watching "America; the Story of Us" on the History Channel.
Other than that, I haven't done a thing.
Took Holy Communion at church today, then spent the rest of the afternoon commiserating that I have spoiled myself with over-indulgences. I do care.
If I were to pass on tonight, I would like the Almighty to know that I simply haven't figured things out yet!!

Bill Day

Why is it that I can easily pay all of my bills online...except for my electricity? For years, I have paid the bill through their Western Union deal...costing me almost $4 to do so...but tonight, it wouldn't accept my account numbers. So, tonight I am caught up on everything except electricity. If they shut me off, they are going to hear bad words from me!!

So...what did I do today? Not too much. I cleaned out the microwave and tidied up the laundry area. I talked to my sister on the phone in prep for a maybe race date. I did some dishes. I watched a lot of birds and some TV. Does it matter??

A year ago this month, I retired from teaching, at my daughter's encouragement. My immediate future was set: I would watch the grandchildren before and after school, giving my daughter a chance to escape to work without the trauma of dragging the kids to Grandma Judy's so very early in the day. I thought I knew what things were about...then the rug got pulled. I was given no warning, nor were the grandchildren, that they were going to be yanked from my home to Daddy's. That was in mid-September. I have spent the entire rest of the time since then trying to make sense of my life, mine, and hers. All I have left in this life is to manage the loneliness into the precious moments that I have with my grandchildren. God provides.

I'm done for the day. Church tomorrow...and the rest of the week as it comes.