Hooray for Super Saver

Time has flown by so fast that I have neglected my blogs for a whole month! I have no excuse - I have been in fine health and good spirits and enjoying the warm and pleasant weather we are having. We did have some heavy rain during April and a rousing thunder and lightning storm, something we don't usually have here in California. We sat in our family room and watched the display from our big picture window.
We did have a fun day yesterday, glued to the TV screen watching the Churchill Downs race. We started watching at about noon and watched the whole thing, right through to the final run for the roses. We were down in Louisville for a Barbershop convention some years ago and enjoyed the beauty and history of the place, and sipped mint juleps and wandered over the blue grass and planned on going back some day. Alas! That was never to be, but we have fond memories and make sure that we watch every race.
It is reunion time for my high school class of 1940 and I was astounded to learn that there are 12 of 19 graduates still living. It is our 70th reunion, I wish I could go but since I don't travel any more, it cannot happen. I must content myself with the news letter and whatever correspondence I maintain with my former classmates.
For me, this is the best time of day, with dinner over, the dishes in the dishwasher, and whatever sweets are available still waiting for me. My husband has hidden the candy but if I beg hard enough he will dole out a piece or two.
Take care and remember to keep in touch.

A successful trip.

Today was a good day, with a pleasant ride to Guerneville to have a sample of blood drawn for testing, which I have to do once a month for the rest of my life. It is a short ride, and with the trees all in bloom and flowers blooming beside the road, I really feel that it is more of a treat than a chore. Sometimes they have difficulty finding a vein to draw from, but today the nurse was skillful and there was almost no pain.
I saw a very interesting program on obsessive compulsive disorder, which I have battled my whole life. I am a checker, but have gotten it almost under control. It is an anxiety disorder, genetic in origin, I still have to check the stove, lights, water, doors, television, and so on, but now I only check once and then go on to the next item, whereas I used to check over and over. It was time consuming and altogether senseless, but now that I only check once, it isn't nearly so troublesome. I wish I could devise a cure, I would be famous, as there is no cure at the present time. I should clarify the situation by explaining that I only check before I leave the house or go to bed. If I am going to stay in the house, I am fine.
It doesn't seem possible that April is here already. I think I wrote that I am skipping Easter this year, to avoid the temptation of having chocolate candy sitting around. I just wouldn't be able to resist.
Happy Easter everyone. Keep in touch. I love to hear from you.

Sushi

Hi! Great happiness in my kitchen! My husband brought home from the store a container of California Sushi, my favorite food! I fell upon it with cries of joy and tore open the container and treated myself to a couple of pieces before we even got the rest of the groceries put away. It was delicious. I don't know why, but I dearly love the stuff. I once plopped myself down at a sushi counter and ate over twenty dollars worth before I was satisfied. At that time i didn't know about the Sushi worm and ate whatever appeared before me on the tray. Now i only eat vegetarian Sushi, but it still is good.
A busy day here today, as my husband was seized with a weed-whacking fit and weed whacked himself up and down the hill and down on the flat spot we call the meditation place. He overdoes it, of course, and is moaning and groaning as he hobbles around the house now. When he comes into view with his weed-whacker I go in the house and shut the door. I can't endure seeing my periwinkles and forget- me- nots being cut down and raked up into piles. He, of course, thinks it is all worthwhile.
Well, the health bill has passed, and since i don't have the slightest idea what it is all going to come to, I can neither rejoice or bemoan it. Time will tell. Night all and keep in touch.

Getting out and around

Here it is, another week gone by. I am feeling better and ventured out for a short walk down the road, for about half a block. To my surprise, our trilliums are blooming and there is a whole bank of forget-me-nots in bloom across the street. The blossoms are opening on the apple tree and the daphne bush is still in full bloom. We haven't done too much with our hydrangeas or roses this year, but they are doing well on their own. Once upon a time we spent a great deal of time here and there up and down the hill putting in terraces and planting fuchsias and lilacs along the fence, but time has taken its toll and we just haven't the energy we used to have. But I am happy to say that I am feeling better each day and look forward to the first roses and apple blossoms to appear.
I managed to cook dinner today, just a pot of chicken stew, but it was good and we ate most of it. I think Bill appreciated a brief respite from all of the household duties he's been doing lately.
Well, the mail is late today. One Saturday it didn't come until nine o"clock in the evening. I am not expecting anything but bills anyway, but some of our neighbors get quite agitated when it's late. They don't like to have to come out in the dark to the mailboxes. Bye, and take care.

Another day

Lentil soup is simmering on the stove, I am propped up on my computer chair and we are both looking forward to a healthy, tasty dinner. I feel a little better today, but must still move with caution. I can't wait until I can go outside and sit in the sun and watch the birds down below the house. Spring is on the way and I look forward eagerly to it.
We had a fierce windstorm yesterday, with the redwoods blowing around and torrents of rain. We sat in our family room and watched the action from our warm chairs, hoping that no damage would take place. Luckily nothing blew down and our neighbor's roof looks intact, to our relief. Today is sunny and warm and the little juncos are back, feasting on the redwood debris and whatever else they can find.
I tried to swiffer my kitchen floor, but it proved to be too much, and I had to let my husband finish it up. Maybe tomorrow will be better. Keep in touch - I love to hear from you.

My rib

Alas, i was wrong about my fall. I had indeed suffered a broken rib, found at my second appointment, and am limping around moaning and groaning. They no longer wrap broken ribs in stretchy bands, and in my case, i get no pain killer medicine, due to my other conditions. So i have a couple of weeks more of feeling sorry for myself. I am sure my husband looks forward to the days when I can get back to my housework!
We have been watching old movies about dogs, a pleasant way to spend some time. They are Turner Classic movies, and usually entertain us for a few hours in the afternoon. I plop myself down on the sofa, get as comfortable as I can, and usually take a short nap while the movie is going. My husband gives the picture his full attention and can quote action and conversation ver batum. He has the most remarkable memory one would hope to find.
Well, no news is good news. Take care and keep in touch.

An embarassing fall

I am embarrassed to report that i have once again suffered a fall, this time from my bed, and am once again limping about with the help of my husband and my walker. I did go in for a checkup with my doctor, but nothing seems to be broken. However, it is painful and i can only with difficulty move about. I can't explain how it happened, only that it came as a surprise to both myself and my husband.
It is cold up here today, so we have a cozy fire in the stove and all of the electric heaters on. My husband made a pot of chicken soup for dinner last night and will probably make beef patties tonight. He does pretty well once he makes up his mind to actually do the task, I am lucky to have him with me.
This will be short. Needless to say, I have had better days. But I will be better soon. Take care and keep in touch.