from the porches

spider web birthday hair

Early this morning I went to get the newspapers.  As I walked back to the house, I thought I felt a bug in my hair.  Of course, I smacked my head a couple of times, but no bug flew away. "Hum," I thought. Then I went on about my day . . . my sixty-ninth birthday.

Today I was playing Mexican Train Dominoes with my friends from the Santa Fe River.  Eight of us in all.  I bought Truett a Subway sandwich to tide him over and made Mom her bowl of cereal for brunch.  (She gets up at 11:00 a.m.)

I had fun today at dominoes.  The conversations went like this:

"Merry, do you need this twelve?  Here, because it's your birthday." 

Or "Merry, I could place this fourteen here or there.  Where would you like it?  It is your birthday after all."

I was feeling pretty darn special.  After all, we ate a wonderful lunch and had a cake with four crooked colorful candles on it, which I blew up in two tries.  (What's that about?  Am I that old?) 

But somehow after about fifty-five (just made that up) birthday forgivenesses, the game turned ruthless as it always does. 

There came a point when I said, "Wait a minute!  It's my birthday!  I need that seven over here!"  But, people, when you play with dedicated Mexican Train Domino Players, you can give it up, because in the end, it's all about the game and not about a birthday!

I had a wonderful birthday today.  I was with friends. 

 I was not care-giving. 

After I got home I felt something on the top of my head.  I reached up and pulled off a spider web I had worn as a crown for my sixty-ninth birthday.

rock of ages

After several days of rainy weather and a break in the clouds today, I told Truett we needed to have some fun. 

Yesterday we had Truett's hearing aides cleaned, so I felt that Truett's hearing a movie was a good move.  Boy, was I wrong.

We saw "Rock of Ages",

• Set in 1987 Los Angeles, Drew and Sherrie are two young people chasing their dreams in the big city. When they meet, it's love at first sight, though their romance will face a series of challenges.
• Cast: Julianne Hough, Diego Boneta, Russell Brand, Paul Giamatti, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Malin Akerman, Mary J. Blige, Alec Baldwin, Tom Cruise
• Director: Adam Shankman
• Genres: Musical Drama, Musical

 I didn't know the young stars in the movie; but I thought that Tom Cruise, Alex Baldwin and Catherine Zeta-Jones would help make it a decent movie. 

I also figured there would be no older people at the movie at 12:50 on a Wednesday afternoon, but I was wrong about that as well. Most of the patrons of a Wednesday afternoon are older people...either unemployed, retired, or just plain bored.  Truett was the only "handicapped" person in a wheelchair, and that was all that mattered to me.  We got the best handicapped space.

Truett and I listened for quite a time to the advertisements, watched the roller-coaster popcorn and candies flying through the universe, and finally, the movie began. 

Immediately, Truett said, "Go tell them to turn the sound down.  I can't stand this!"

So, I got up and marched to the theater ticket-takers.  "We need you to turn down the sound in theater 3, please." 

"No problem," the young lady answered; and then she radioed Kevin.

I plodded back through theater 3 in the dark and found my seat.  It wasn't ten minutes later until Truett said, "I can't take this.  Go tell them to turn this sound down or we're leaving!"

Oh, my word.  I was so embarrased.  There were at least twenty people in Theater 3 who probably heard Truett barking orders to me and who also enjoyed the loud rock and roll music; but not my husband. . . the one and only who used to sit right in front of the stereo with the volume up to 110, blasting his eardrums out! No wonder he needs hearing aides! 

And we all know his hearing aides were working today!

So, I slunk out once again.  When the ticket-taker saw me she asked, "Is it still too loud?"

"Yes," I answered.  "Can you please lower the volume just a little bit more?"  (I certainly didn't tell her my husband had his hearing aides cleaned out yesterday and could hear a pin drop on the floor today.)

Well, we watched "Rock of Ages", and in the end Truet said, "That was the worst movie I've ever seen...worthless...mindless."

I disagree with Truett on this.  This musical movie recaptured 1986 rock music.  Of course we didn't know it was a musical, so I think that threw Truett off.

 Oh, well.  I had some kind of fun...a little bit anyway...at least I wasn't home watching rain or waiting on people...if you know what I mean.

Rock on people!  While you can!

 

what's up

I've been trying hard to remember what has transpired over the past several days.  I know for one thing that Truett likes to ride around and look at nature.

On Father's Day we drove over to Little River Springs.  That was a good thing because there is a concrete sidewalk surrounding the springs so Truett was able to connect with active life as I pushed him around the embankment.

It was a good thing that Truett couldn't hear the roar of this skidoo..or whatever they are called.  It ruined the peacefullness of the Little River Springs though, in my opinion.

In the meantime, I've been worried about this one-legged wild turkey.  Really.  The poor thing cannot walk on two legs.  I worry about a predator chasing it, and then the poor thing cannot lift off to fly.  It does need two legs to lift off doesn't it?   I've named this wild turkey "Tucker".    I didn't see him today, so hopefully, he's migrated somewhere else so I don't have to carry this burden.

Good night, folks.  This is whre I am at this moment in time.

code enforcement at jerry's barber shop

Today I took Truett to High Springs to get a hair cut.  But first we decided to have lunch at Alice's Restaurant.  I always dread going to Alice's Restaurant, not because of the food because it is one place we can get home cooked vegetables. 

No.  It's the two inch rise in the doorway that is a bitch to lift Truett's wheelchair over.  We don't eat at Alice's Restaurant simply because I'm not up to the challenge, and I always feel like a bumbling fool while Truett is trying to hold the door open and me grunting and panting to lift that God-awful wheel chair up two inches while customers inside gawk at us, (and no one helps).

Today, instead, Truett and I ate lunch at The Springs Diner, a much friendlier handicapped accessible restaurant.  Only two doors that open outward, with Truett pulling the doors open and the doors slamming me in the rear.  The food is okay, but not home-cooked meals.  But thank God there were no two inch door jambs. (I  don't know what I'm talking about here, so forgive me.)

Ultimately, Truett and I finished our meal at The Springs Diner and drove to Jerry's Barber Shop right on Main Street in High Springs.  Luckily, the first parking spot was vacant.  "Thank you, Lord," I shouted.  I must tell you that the first time I took Truett to Jerry's Barber Shop there was probably a three inch rise in the doorway; but Shawn, Truett's hairdresser, fixed that immediately.  She installed a metal ramp for wheelchair accessability.  Then she didn't have to come to my home to cut Truett's hair anymore.

While Truett was getting his hair cut and his gnarly beard shaved, a few people came in for their hair fixes.  One gentleman came in with his son and wife and I noticed he had a badge clipped to his belt.  Shawn engaged the gentleman in a conversation.  "So, how's it going?  Any more problems?"  This fellow is the Code Enforcemant Deputy for High Springs.

I asked this fellow what kind of code enforcement calls he deals with.  They ranged from dogs barking, trees falling, unruly neighbors, etc. 

And then I said, "Well, I have a code for you!"  And I proceeded to tell him about Alice's Restaurant which is not 100% handicapped accessible.  I further explained that Truett, the Mayor of Fort White,  and I are only about one miniscule of the population of the area that need handicapped accessibility and it is wearing me down.

Finally, Truett looked as pretty as a peach and it was time to leave.  The Code Enforcement Officer opened the door for us and I wheeled Truett out.  "Can I help in any other way?" he asked.

"Yes,"  I answered.  "Are you aware that there is only ONE handicapped parking space in this whole town and it is way down there at the end of the block?  It would be really nice if the Town of High Springs had several handicapped parking spaces up at this end.  You know.  The Great Outdoors Restaurant is very popular, and Jerry's Barber Shop is very popular... it just doesn't seem right."

Then the code enforcement officer asked me for my name and phone number, which he wrote in ink on the palm of his hand.  He told me he would meet with the Mayor of High Springs to deal with my issues.

We'll see.

Could it have been my pathetic hunched back appearance as I wheeled Truett out of the barber shop?  Could it have been the mention of the word "Mayor of Fort White"?  Could it have been a concerned Code Enforcement Officer?

So, I guess I am saying is if any of you see any handicapped parking spaces across from The Great Outdoors, then don't bitch.  Just blame it on Mrs. George.  (once again)

 

 

grandchildren fix

This morning I woke up and thought, " I MUST SEE my grandchildren."  So I called Sam.  He told me Merry Jennifer was "on call", but may come home in the early afternoon from Shands Hospital.  

Then dear sweet Sam suggested that Truett and I have dinner with their family later in the afternoon.  Pulled pork, baked beans, roasted potatoes, and key lime pie.  DELICIOUS!

The only stipulation was that Merry Jennifer was "on call" and might have to leave at the drop of a pin to return to Shands Hospital to take care of cancer patients.

All day long I piddled around the house, waiting for time to fly by.  I played computer games.  I read my book.  I even cleaned out the cat box.  But, actually, I was waiting until time to visit my grandchildren, my daughter and Sam. I was waiting to visit my family.

Sam, is a smart guy.  When we  arrived, Sam said, "Nana, why don't you take the kids swimming (even though you don't have a swimming suit on), and we will entertain Truett." 

And once again, here is my mantra, "Thank you, GOD!"

So I did just that. I took Maddie and Oliver to the Town of Tioga swimming pool.  Even though it was a hot day, I was shaded by majestic oak trees so I was comfortable enough; but I also realized just how much I missed hanging out with my grandchildren and watching them swim. 

Sam, you don't know how much that meant to me to be free with the grandchildren for an hour watching them splash and squeal, and squirt that God awful squirt gun . . . even though they broke the tip off in the end.

Thanks for the wonderful dinner . . . and thanks for my "grandchildren fix"!

 

the mockingbird

This morning at rehab I was thoroughly entertained by a mockingbird.  As I stepped out of the car and walked around to unload Truett's wheelchair, I heard the mockingbird singing away, and pretty loudly, I might add. 

The mockingbird's songs mimick other birds such as the hawk and the crow.  I read their songs also mimick insects and amphibians.  The songs occur in rapid succession and was quite intriguing.

And then a strange thing happened.  The mockingbird shot straight up in the air . . .

Did a flip or two . . .

And returned to his tree branch or his pole.

Never again will I say,  "Oh, that's only a mockingbird." 

The mockingbird showed me more action and personality than any hawk or crow. It may become one of my favorites!

my blog and proud of it

This is my blog and I am free to express myself.  I do not have to make my readers happy.  This has nothing to do with the readers of my blog.  It has to do with me expressing myself. 

First, we weathered the storms last week well.  Truett took this photo and I do not know what that little garbage can is in the top of the storm.  A reflection in the car, I imagine.

I can no longer put negative thoughts on Facebook like, "Good God.  Jesus Christ.  Lord Almighty" because that is negative and does not sound like a mantra... even though it makes me feel all better.  And I'll tell you something else.  I am flat tired and sick of seeing 1:11 and 11:11. All week long I saw these numbers.  I used to think it was a message from God, but lately, I doubt that.  Why doesn't it feel like a message from God?

Here is some good news.  Clay is now stationed in Monticello, Florida.  He calls at least twice a day.  He's been reading  and writing stories.  I have been typing his stories and am sending them back to him.  I like his writing since he has been reading.  However, Clay's stories are a little bit "out there"!  But, I am a good mama.  I am impressed with his vocabulary.  Clay has been drug free for almost two years and he is cognizant for once, probably since seventh grade.  I miss him so much.  Clay sounds different.  He wants to be different.  He never wants to go to "camp" again!

As far as life goes around here . . . well, caregiving sucks!  It is a twenty-four hour job.  Nothing I ever intended to do.  I just praise the Lions Club of Lake City for giving me a break each week. 

And what about my mother?  Mom is doing fine. . . considering.  We all walk on egg shells around here, and that is unfortunate; but it is what it is.  Mama wants to go back to England during the summer.  Surprise, Susan!  Yes, she does.  So you might want to give me a call.

And what about me?

Ha!

Hanging in there!