We slept very late this morning, not getting up until around 8:30 a.m. By the time we had breakfast, and I did a workout on the treadmill, including doing resistance exercises with both weights and a latex band, and then got ready for the day, it was already nearing 11 a.m.
Mother came over shortly after lunch, and we all went to a watermelon festival in a small town north of us. Even though it's the 29th year for the festival, this is only the second time we've attended. Hubbie and I went a couple of years ago, mainly so I could do photos for the newspaper. Mother had never been and was curious about it, so we took her today.
Before we went to the festival, we drove a couple of miles beyond the festival town to our favorite fruit farmer's place. We picked up two watermelons, two cataloupes, and a peck of white-meat free-stone peaches. We sampled one of the peaches, which was sweet and delicious.
The festival is held in the small city park. This park, that includes a small lake and a sizable playground, is larger than the one where the grape festival is held. Festival activities include concerts, crafts and food booths, a rock climbing wall, an antique and custom car show, watermelon feast, watermelon judging, watermelon seed spitting contest, and drawings for cash prizes.
Usually, it's brutally hot for this festival, but today was pretty mild. By the time the day began heating up later in the afternoon, we were ready to head home. We took along a lawn chair for Mother, so she could sit whenever she tired of walking.
After we had walked once around the park along the paved path, signed up at every bank booth for chances at cash prizes, and picked up the free handheld fans, pens, pencils and pads, Mother was ready to sit, rest, and enjoy a big cup of vanilla-chocolate swirl soft-serve ice cream. While she relaxed, Hubbie and I toured the car show. We both love restored antique cars, which exude style and personality. No automobile today has the charm and individuality of those manufactured in the 30s and 40s, or even in the 50s.
Well rested and refreshed from the ice cream, Mother wanted to walk around the festival again. We noticed that one of the food vendors offered fried frog legs and gator kabobs (none for us, thanks). Another vendor, though, was selling large buckets of Asian pears for only $5. She said that whenever she leaves her home for a few days, the birds, the deer, and the neighbors eat the pears, so she decided to gather them to sell at the festival this weekend. We're glad she did. With this purchase, we now had watermelon, cantaloupe, peaches, and pears to bring home. Hubbie remarked that he was glad no one was selling persimmons, because I might have wanted some of those, too.
When we got home, we dumped our bag of goodies on the dining room table. We have three handheld American Flag motif fans, three fans that look like round slices of watermelon, and three fans that when removed from their little bags, pop open into a flying disk shape. In fact, they can be used either as fans or as flying disks. Besides notepads, pens, and pencils, we also have three purple bead necklaces with heavy plastic pendants featuring the watermelon festival logo. Some lucky grandkids will get these the next time we see them.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Friday...Wedding
Nothing much happened Friday morning beyond my exercising on the treadmill, and Hubbie giving Shih Tzu a bath. We didn't want to start any projects, since we needed to leave mid-afternoon to go to a town east of us for a grandson's evening wedding.
Mother opted to stay home with Shih Tzu while we were gone. We left around 3 p.m. and arrived in time to shop at a video/book store and at the worldwide discount chain warehouse before going to Daughter's for a supper of deli turkey and cheese sandwiches, sliced tomatoes, fresh cucumber/onion pickles, and white cheese dip. We brought along locally grown cantaloupe to add to the meal.
The wedding was several miles from Daughter's house, where we understood we were to be by 6:30 p.m. for photos. Hubbie and I arrived before the appointed hour, but few others, including the photographer, were there as far as we could tell. As it turned out, the family photos weren't taken until after the ceremony.
The wedding took place at the home of Grandson's boss...a beautiful, large place, overlooking rolling acres of grassy lawn leading down to a small lake. Flocks of Canadian geese and swans make there home on and around the lake, but tonight they were gathered on the opposite bank. Grandson had hoped the birds would grace the lake near the gazebo where the wedding was to be held, but no amount of coaxing brought them near.
The gazebo was nicely decorated. The four posts were wound with white netting intertwined with strands of ivy and pearls. Globes of tea lights completed the effect on each post. In each guest's chair was a small bottle of bubble blowing liquid.
After a horrendous stretch of 100 degree temps, tonight was mild with a gentle, cool breeze blowing off the lake. The wedding was scheduled for 7:30 p.m., and by that hour we were all seated and waiting in anticipation. But glitches must have held it up, because it was close to 8 p.m., before the mother of the bride and a young daughter of the bride walked to a small table draped with white and pink clothes and holding a large vase and four smaller ones (two of green sand, two of white). Mother and granddaughter each poured a green and a white one into the large vase, mixing the sand together. Then Daughter and Great-Granddaughter (daughter of Grandson) did the same.
Following this ceremony, the Maid of Honor and Best Man walked to the gazebo. Then, from the parking area way up near the house came a convertible car, slowly making its way down the hill, stopping just short of the gathered guests. The bride's father opened the car door, and his daughter stepped out to be walked down the aisle to the gazebo.
Opting for simple wedding attire, the bride wore a white sundress, and silver flip-flops, and the groom was dressed in jeans, a white shirt, untucked, with sleeves rolled up. He was also wearing flip-flops.
The Maid of Honor wore a pink sundress with green trim. The daughters of the bride and groom wore sundresses in the same colors and in a similar style. The mother of the groom wore a dressy capri-pants with jacket outfit that complemented the wedding colors scheme. The mother of the bride wore a floral print dress with jacket that also fit into the color scheme. Those of us in attendance were urged to dress casually, which everyone did. Purely by happenstance, the pink and green of the very casual capri pants and shirt I wore were the same color as the sundresses.
Following the wedding vows, the bride and groom poured the other two vases of sand into the large vase. This symbolized the blending of two families...bride with two daughters, and Grandson with one daughter. After this, guests were encouraged to blow bubbles at the couple as the groom escorted his bride to the convertible for the ride back up the hill.
The rest of us (except those who preferred to be shuttled in a golf cart) trooped back up the hill on foot. The reception took place on the wide expanse of lawn. In one corner of the lawn was an inflatable bounce house for the kids.
A long refreshment table was set with platters of fruit, chocolate covered strawberries, chocolate chip dip with chocolate crackers, cocktail weiners in barbecue sauce, and ham roll-ups. A multi-tier white cake graced another table, along with the groom's chocolate cake in the shape of a ball and chain.
On a separate table, were pictures of the bride and groom as a couple, and one of each as a child or baby, along with the guest book, and small white cartons tied with pink ribbons containing candy kisses for each guest.
By the time the bride threw her bouquet and the groom tossed the garter, it was 9 p.m. and time for us to head home. Even though it was late when we got back, Mother was up and watching television.
It was a good day, but we were ready to wind it down.
Mother opted to stay home with Shih Tzu while we were gone. We left around 3 p.m. and arrived in time to shop at a video/book store and at the worldwide discount chain warehouse before going to Daughter's for a supper of deli turkey and cheese sandwiches, sliced tomatoes, fresh cucumber/onion pickles, and white cheese dip. We brought along locally grown cantaloupe to add to the meal.
The wedding was several miles from Daughter's house, where we understood we were to be by 6:30 p.m. for photos. Hubbie and I arrived before the appointed hour, but few others, including the photographer, were there as far as we could tell. As it turned out, the family photos weren't taken until after the ceremony.
The wedding took place at the home of Grandson's boss...a beautiful, large place, overlooking rolling acres of grassy lawn leading down to a small lake. Flocks of Canadian geese and swans make there home on and around the lake, but tonight they were gathered on the opposite bank. Grandson had hoped the birds would grace the lake near the gazebo where the wedding was to be held, but no amount of coaxing brought them near.
The gazebo was nicely decorated. The four posts were wound with white netting intertwined with strands of ivy and pearls. Globes of tea lights completed the effect on each post. In each guest's chair was a small bottle of bubble blowing liquid.
After a horrendous stretch of 100 degree temps, tonight was mild with a gentle, cool breeze blowing off the lake. The wedding was scheduled for 7:30 p.m., and by that hour we were all seated and waiting in anticipation. But glitches must have held it up, because it was close to 8 p.m., before the mother of the bride and a young daughter of the bride walked to a small table draped with white and pink clothes and holding a large vase and four smaller ones (two of green sand, two of white). Mother and granddaughter each poured a green and a white one into the large vase, mixing the sand together. Then Daughter and Great-Granddaughter (daughter of Grandson) did the same.
Following this ceremony, the Maid of Honor and Best Man walked to the gazebo. Then, from the parking area way up near the house came a convertible car, slowly making its way down the hill, stopping just short of the gathered guests. The bride's father opened the car door, and his daughter stepped out to be walked down the aisle to the gazebo.
Opting for simple wedding attire, the bride wore a white sundress, and silver flip-flops, and the groom was dressed in jeans, a white shirt, untucked, with sleeves rolled up. He was also wearing flip-flops.
The Maid of Honor wore a pink sundress with green trim. The daughters of the bride and groom wore sundresses in the same colors and in a similar style. The mother of the groom wore a dressy capri-pants with jacket outfit that complemented the wedding colors scheme. The mother of the bride wore a floral print dress with jacket that also fit into the color scheme. Those of us in attendance were urged to dress casually, which everyone did. Purely by happenstance, the pink and green of the very casual capri pants and shirt I wore were the same color as the sundresses.
Following the wedding vows, the bride and groom poured the other two vases of sand into the large vase. This symbolized the blending of two families...bride with two daughters, and Grandson with one daughter. After this, guests were encouraged to blow bubbles at the couple as the groom escorted his bride to the convertible for the ride back up the hill.
The rest of us (except those who preferred to be shuttled in a golf cart) trooped back up the hill on foot. The reception took place on the wide expanse of lawn. In one corner of the lawn was an inflatable bounce house for the kids.
A long refreshment table was set with platters of fruit, chocolate covered strawberries, chocolate chip dip with chocolate crackers, cocktail weiners in barbecue sauce, and ham roll-ups. A multi-tier white cake graced another table, along with the groom's chocolate cake in the shape of a ball and chain.
On a separate table, were pictures of the bride and groom as a couple, and one of each as a child or baby, along with the guest book, and small white cartons tied with pink ribbons containing candy kisses for each guest.
By the time the bride threw her bouquet and the groom tossed the garter, it was 9 p.m. and time for us to head home. Even though it was late when we got back, Mother was up and watching television.
It was a good day, but we were ready to wind it down.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Thursday...a Break From the Heat
We awoke to a cloudy day. We were so hoping that we'd get a nice rain to help the gardens and lawn, which are becoming parched from the extreme heat of the past week or so. But we only got sprinkles. Others in the state got a soaking, I think, but unfortunately the front skirted us. However, the temp is milder today, which is nice.
I took an umbrella along with me when I went to Cardiac Rehab, but I didn't need it. Cardiac Rehab went well. I'm walking at 3.5 mph on the treadmill, at a level five incline. I've also increased my handheld weights to eight pounds. I still use the five pound ones for exercises that require me to lift straight up on each side, but for close-to-body exercises, I use the eight-pound ones. I can tell I'm getting muscles in my forearms and biceps, but I still need exercises that will deal with my flabby triceps.
After I got back from Rehab, it was errand-running time again...this time to the cleaners, and to the post office to mail a manila envelope of recipes and information about triglycerides to Daughter-in-Law, who is interested in preparing healthier meals for Son and the rest of the family. From the post office, we went to the cable company, and finally to the worldwide discount chain store for several grocery items.
Mother came over after we got back home and joined us in a lunch of sandwiches made from last night's leftover turkey. The turkey still tasted fresh, since I'd wrapped it tightly (and twice) in plastic wrap (making sure all the air was squeezed out) and then stored it in a plastic container. Oxygen getting to cooked meat, particularly poultry, is what makes it take on a different, and to us, peculiar taste after it's stored in the fridge.
After a this-and-that afternoon, we enjoyed more cold turkey for supper, along with the rest of the leftovers from last night's supper. Everything is gone from last night's meal, now, except a little more turkey, which will become part of the "week in review" meal on Saturday.
I took an umbrella along with me when I went to Cardiac Rehab, but I didn't need it. Cardiac Rehab went well. I'm walking at 3.5 mph on the treadmill, at a level five incline. I've also increased my handheld weights to eight pounds. I still use the five pound ones for exercises that require me to lift straight up on each side, but for close-to-body exercises, I use the eight-pound ones. I can tell I'm getting muscles in my forearms and biceps, but I still need exercises that will deal with my flabby triceps.
After I got back from Rehab, it was errand-running time again...this time to the cleaners, and to the post office to mail a manila envelope of recipes and information about triglycerides to Daughter-in-Law, who is interested in preparing healthier meals for Son and the rest of the family. From the post office, we went to the cable company, and finally to the worldwide discount chain store for several grocery items.
Mother came over after we got back home and joined us in a lunch of sandwiches made from last night's leftover turkey. The turkey still tasted fresh, since I'd wrapped it tightly (and twice) in plastic wrap (making sure all the air was squeezed out) and then stored it in a plastic container. Oxygen getting to cooked meat, particularly poultry, is what makes it take on a different, and to us, peculiar taste after it's stored in the fridge.
After a this-and-that afternoon, we enjoyed more cold turkey for supper, along with the rest of the leftovers from last night's supper. Everything is gone from last night's meal, now, except a little more turkey, which will become part of the "week in review" meal on Saturday.
Wednesday..Whew!
We got up really late on Wednesday...8:30 a.m. I did a 40-minute workout on the treadmill right after breakfast, and then things were quiet until after lunch, when everything seemed to happen at once:
*a home improvement rep came by to assess the possibility of renovating our downstairs bathroom. What we had in mind was not possible, because of the one-piece molded bathtub/shower unit. So we decided to re-think the idea and deal with it later...much later, I hope, because I hate renovations, which usually turn out to be more expensive than anticipated, usually take longer than expected, always make a giant mess, usually lead to more renovations in adjoining rooms, and are often not completed to our satisfaction.
*I was talking on the cell phone to our local arts council director as the rep walked in the door. The art director had e-mailed me a couple of days ago inquiring if I'd be interested in working with groups of kids in doing sunprints at the gallery next Wednesday. I'd have two groups of kids, one in the morning, and one in the afternoon. I agreed to do it, depending on what comes up concerning Oldest Son after his heart stress test.
*Before I could complete my conversation with the arts council director, a granddaughter called on the land line. Hubbie talked to her until I could break away. Granddaughter wanted us to help her get a car to drive to college. She was in negotiations with an automobile salesman when she called. Hubbie talked to the salesman and after several conversations throughout the afternoon, we decided she should shop around some more, or get a current vehicle repaired.
*Later, Daughter-in-Law called to say that Oldest Son's cardiologist was out of the office on an emergency call, and that son would not get a stress test today after all. Instead, the cardiologist scheduled him for a nuclear stress test next Wednesday, which entails injecting radioactive dye into his arteries to see what blockage there may be.
By this time, we were all ready for our turkey breast dinner, which was yummy. The turkey breast was prepared in a slow cooker with onions, celery, garlic, fat-free chicken broth, and spices...rosemary, thyme and pepper. No salt. This was served with mashed potatoes (no salt, no butter or margarine, but just a little skim milk), gravy made from the chicken broth, yellow squash sauteed only in butter non-stick spray and no-salt seasoning, and canned whole cranberry sauce. For dessert, Mother made a no-crust pumpkin custard. Last fall, we cooked, packaged and froze pumpkins that we'd used in an outdoor fall arrangement. The custard was made from this pumpkin, using a recipe from a label we'd saved off a can of pumpkin. Mother used sugar substitute, egg substitute, and fat-free evaporated milk in place of the regular ingredients.
*a home improvement rep came by to assess the possibility of renovating our downstairs bathroom. What we had in mind was not possible, because of the one-piece molded bathtub/shower unit. So we decided to re-think the idea and deal with it later...much later, I hope, because I hate renovations, which usually turn out to be more expensive than anticipated, usually take longer than expected, always make a giant mess, usually lead to more renovations in adjoining rooms, and are often not completed to our satisfaction.
*I was talking on the cell phone to our local arts council director as the rep walked in the door. The art director had e-mailed me a couple of days ago inquiring if I'd be interested in working with groups of kids in doing sunprints at the gallery next Wednesday. I'd have two groups of kids, one in the morning, and one in the afternoon. I agreed to do it, depending on what comes up concerning Oldest Son after his heart stress test.
*Before I could complete my conversation with the arts council director, a granddaughter called on the land line. Hubbie talked to her until I could break away. Granddaughter wanted us to help her get a car to drive to college. She was in negotiations with an automobile salesman when she called. Hubbie talked to the salesman and after several conversations throughout the afternoon, we decided she should shop around some more, or get a current vehicle repaired.
*Later, Daughter-in-Law called to say that Oldest Son's cardiologist was out of the office on an emergency call, and that son would not get a stress test today after all. Instead, the cardiologist scheduled him for a nuclear stress test next Wednesday, which entails injecting radioactive dye into his arteries to see what blockage there may be.
By this time, we were all ready for our turkey breast dinner, which was yummy. The turkey breast was prepared in a slow cooker with onions, celery, garlic, fat-free chicken broth, and spices...rosemary, thyme and pepper. No salt. This was served with mashed potatoes (no salt, no butter or margarine, but just a little skim milk), gravy made from the chicken broth, yellow squash sauteed only in butter non-stick spray and no-salt seasoning, and canned whole cranberry sauce. For dessert, Mother made a no-crust pumpkin custard. Last fall, we cooked, packaged and froze pumpkins that we'd used in an outdoor fall arrangement. The custard was made from this pumpkin, using a recipe from a label we'd saved off a can of pumpkin. Mother used sugar substitute, egg substitute, and fat-free evaporated milk in place of the regular ingredients.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Bird's Nest
Today, Hubbie found a Carolina wren nest in a hanging planter of Wandering Jew on our front porch. I got this snapshot of the tiny white eggs with red (or purple) speckled bands on one end. We don't know yet if more eggs will be laid, or if the bird has abandoned these. We'll check on them again in a day or two.
Worrisome News
Yesterday evening, Daughter-in-Law called to tell me Oldest Son experienced chest pains that sent him to a cardiologist. Blood tests revealed that his triglycerides are well over 1,000 mg/dl. Normal triglycerides should be less than 150 mg/dl. His EKG registered normal, but the cardiologist ordered a stress test for 1 p.m. today.
The cardiologist remarked that an EKG is useless for detecting heart problems, unless the patient is already experiencing an episode. That was true for me. I got a normal EKG report the day before the episode that sent me to the hospital emergency room.
The cardiologist prescribed aspirin and nitroglycerin and cautioned him to take a tablet of each and call an ambulance if he had an episode anytime before his scheduled stress test. So now I'm on pins and needles waiting to find out what's next for Son.
In the meantime, Daughter-in-Law has asked me to gather recipes and menu ideas that she can use to make their eating habits more healthful. Mother and I worked on that last evening, and I'll continue gathering information today to send to her.
As for the rest of the day, I went to Cardiac Rehab yesterday morning. Once a month, Phase III patients are required to hook up to a heart monitor, and yesterday was my day. I registered fine, and was able to remove the monitor before beginning exercises. My oxygen saturation and pulse rate is monitored periodically during exercise. Both were good.
After I got home, Hubbie and I ran a couple of errands...to pick up another prescription for me, and to one of the stores that has a sale every weekend to look for a capri and blouse outfit to wear to the very casual outdoor wedding of Hubbie's grandson Friday evening. I found what I needed, and we moved on to go visit our friend who has terminal cancer.
She was not in her office, though, so we talked at length with her assistant. The assistant told us that Friend is having some very rough days, of course. She is to leave her job on Aug. 26, her birthday. On that day, there will be a gathering for her at a local college. This will be a very emotional time, I'm afraid. All of us who have been associated with this upbeat, inspiring lady want to see her and hug her, but it's going to be so difficult to be with her, knowing the prognosis. She has been so sick lately that I wonder if she will even feel up to a gathering like this several weeks hence.
What a day.
The cardiologist remarked that an EKG is useless for detecting heart problems, unless the patient is already experiencing an episode. That was true for me. I got a normal EKG report the day before the episode that sent me to the hospital emergency room.
The cardiologist prescribed aspirin and nitroglycerin and cautioned him to take a tablet of each and call an ambulance if he had an episode anytime before his scheduled stress test. So now I'm on pins and needles waiting to find out what's next for Son.
In the meantime, Daughter-in-Law has asked me to gather recipes and menu ideas that she can use to make their eating habits more healthful. Mother and I worked on that last evening, and I'll continue gathering information today to send to her.
As for the rest of the day, I went to Cardiac Rehab yesterday morning. Once a month, Phase III patients are required to hook up to a heart monitor, and yesterday was my day. I registered fine, and was able to remove the monitor before beginning exercises. My oxygen saturation and pulse rate is monitored periodically during exercise. Both were good.
After I got home, Hubbie and I ran a couple of errands...to pick up another prescription for me, and to one of the stores that has a sale every weekend to look for a capri and blouse outfit to wear to the very casual outdoor wedding of Hubbie's grandson Friday evening. I found what I needed, and we moved on to go visit our friend who has terminal cancer.
She was not in her office, though, so we talked at length with her assistant. The assistant told us that Friend is having some very rough days, of course. She is to leave her job on Aug. 26, her birthday. On that day, there will be a gathering for her at a local college. This will be a very emotional time, I'm afraid. All of us who have been associated with this upbeat, inspiring lady want to see her and hug her, but it's going to be so difficult to be with her, knowing the prognosis. She has been so sick lately that I wonder if she will even feel up to a gathering like this several weeks hence.
What a day.
Monday, August 4, 2008
A New Week
Monday again. The weeks sure do rush past. It's hard to believe we are already deep into summer. I always think I'm going to accomplish great things in the summer, but I never do. There just aren't enough weeks of warm weather to do all the things I have on my list.
I started today with a treadmill session, which did the trick aerobically, but I still prefer swimming and will be glad when the class starts again on August 18. As soon as I was ready for the day, Hubbie and I ran errands...to the Hallmark store to get a wedding card for a grandson who is to be married this coming Friday, to the gas station to buy an arm and leg worth of fuel, and on to the worldwide discount chain store for groceries and incidentals. Mother sent her list with us, too, since she wasn't up for going to that store today.
This afternoon, I took Mother to the doctor. She's not ill, but she has several complaints that needed addressing, including tummy and intestinal problems, lightheadedness when she stands still for very long, weak legs, and thick toenails that are painful and make walking difficult. The doctor ordered a colonoscopy, and referred her to a podiatrist. As for her lightheadedness, she said it's not uncommon for older people to feel this way if they stand still for very long. She recommended exercise for her weak legs, of course, particularly walking or riding a stationary bicycle.
The appointment was for 2:30, but we were not seen until nearly 3:30, because an emergency case arrived at the clinic at our appointment time. While we hate waiting in a doctor's office, we certainly expect our physician to treat a patient with an emergency ahead of us.
It was about 4 p.m. before we left the clinic. Wow, was the car hot! The thermometer registered the outside temp at 104 degrees. I don't know how hot it was inside that windows-rolled-up van.
Fortunately, we thought ahead yesterday and prepared enough pork roast and trimmings to heat for supper tonight, because we were in no mood to cook a fresh meal.
There was nothing on the calendar for this evening beyond vegging in front of the TV, which is what we did.
I started today with a treadmill session, which did the trick aerobically, but I still prefer swimming and will be glad when the class starts again on August 18. As soon as I was ready for the day, Hubbie and I ran errands...to the Hallmark store to get a wedding card for a grandson who is to be married this coming Friday, to the gas station to buy an arm and leg worth of fuel, and on to the worldwide discount chain store for groceries and incidentals. Mother sent her list with us, too, since she wasn't up for going to that store today.
This afternoon, I took Mother to the doctor. She's not ill, but she has several complaints that needed addressing, including tummy and intestinal problems, lightheadedness when she stands still for very long, weak legs, and thick toenails that are painful and make walking difficult. The doctor ordered a colonoscopy, and referred her to a podiatrist. As for her lightheadedness, she said it's not uncommon for older people to feel this way if they stand still for very long. She recommended exercise for her weak legs, of course, particularly walking or riding a stationary bicycle.
The appointment was for 2:30, but we were not seen until nearly 3:30, because an emergency case arrived at the clinic at our appointment time. While we hate waiting in a doctor's office, we certainly expect our physician to treat a patient with an emergency ahead of us.
It was about 4 p.m. before we left the clinic. Wow, was the car hot! The thermometer registered the outside temp at 104 degrees. I don't know how hot it was inside that windows-rolled-up van.
Fortunately, we thought ahead yesterday and prepared enough pork roast and trimmings to heat for supper tonight, because we were in no mood to cook a fresh meal.
There was nothing on the calendar for this evening beyond vegging in front of the TV, which is what we did.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Lazy Sunday and Outdoor Movie
Even on Sunday, we get up pretty early for retired folks...7:30 a.m. today. I think I could have slept a little later, but when Hubbie got out of bed and tiptoed to the closet for his clothes, I woke up.
I headed for the treadmill right after breakfast. I needed a workout after missing two days of exercise.
The rest of the morning was spent in the usual Sunday routine...fixing a slow-cooker pork roast with potatoes, carrots, and onions for lunch, throwing a load of clothes in the washer, selecting the week's TV fare to record on the DVR (slim pickings, I have to say), and reading the Sunday newspaper. Since Sunday is our day to listen to music, I popped a couple of new CDs into the stereo...the Eagles' two-disk album, "Long Road to Eden."
This afternoon, I talked by cell phone to one of my kids and a daughter-in-law. Even though we try to stay updated by e-mail, I still need to hear their voices once in a while. A lot can happen in a week. These are some of the highlights:
*a granddaughter took the whole family by surprise a couple of months ago, when she enlisted in the Army...she headed for basic training last Monday;
*another granddaughter will begin college in a couple of weeks;
*a young grandson who is battling weight problems has lost 13 pounds recently, resulting in a significant improvement in his health;
*a grandson and his wife are expecting their third child in the spring, which will (counting five step-great-grandchildren) increase the number to 20 greats for us;
*a daughter-in-law's mother has been diagnosed with colon cancer, but the good news is that it has been caught in time.
*various family members have changed jobs, or have been temporarily laid off a current job.
*the two newest great-grandsons, born in June and hungry all the time, are now eating cereal, as prescribed by their pediatricians.
*a great-granddaughter, sister to one of the new great-grandsons, is having difficulty adjusting to another baby in the house, causing her to forget her potty training. She's back in "pull-ups" for now.
Late in the afternoon, after the heat abated somewhat, I went out to take pictures of sunflowers and surprise lilies (see previous blog). By then, it was time to think about supper. We had a hard time deciding what we wanted, but finally settled on peanut butter and orange marmalade sandwiches, with sliced bananas and fresh peaches on the side. A glass of milk completed the meal.
At 8:30 p.m., we all went over to the local college for an outdoor movie. We dreaded that it would be steamy hot, but a breeze came up that nicely cooled the garden where the movie was shown.
Tonight's show was "August Rush," rated PG. This film, starring Keri Russell and Jonathan Rys-Meyers, has garnered mixed reviews...some love it, others hate it. We enjoyed it.
The plot centers on a young boy (Freddie Highmore), who runs away from an orphanage and falls in with a group of other runaway boys who are under the wing of a man (Robin Williams) who exploits their musical talents for his own benefit (shades of "Oliver Twist").
The boy is the son of a rock musician and a classical musician, who 11 years ago fall in love and have a one-night affair. The boy is a musical genius who learns to play and write music in the course of six months. It's a fanciful movie, but if you like music, if you like love stories, and if you like kids with disarming dimpled smiles, then you'll like this movie.
This free-admission movie was one of several offered this summer by our local arts council. While they have not drawn huge crowds, the number of people attending is about the same as we see at the local multi-screen theater. The next film, "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure," is scheduled for August 31.
I headed for the treadmill right after breakfast. I needed a workout after missing two days of exercise.
The rest of the morning was spent in the usual Sunday routine...fixing a slow-cooker pork roast with potatoes, carrots, and onions for lunch, throwing a load of clothes in the washer, selecting the week's TV fare to record on the DVR (slim pickings, I have to say), and reading the Sunday newspaper. Since Sunday is our day to listen to music, I popped a couple of new CDs into the stereo...the Eagles' two-disk album, "Long Road to Eden."
This afternoon, I talked by cell phone to one of my kids and a daughter-in-law. Even though we try to stay updated by e-mail, I still need to hear their voices once in a while. A lot can happen in a week. These are some of the highlights:
*a granddaughter took the whole family by surprise a couple of months ago, when she enlisted in the Army...she headed for basic training last Monday;
*another granddaughter will begin college in a couple of weeks;
*a young grandson who is battling weight problems has lost 13 pounds recently, resulting in a significant improvement in his health;
*a grandson and his wife are expecting their third child in the spring, which will (counting five step-great-grandchildren) increase the number to 20 greats for us;
*a daughter-in-law's mother has been diagnosed with colon cancer, but the good news is that it has been caught in time.
*various family members have changed jobs, or have been temporarily laid off a current job.
*the two newest great-grandsons, born in June and hungry all the time, are now eating cereal, as prescribed by their pediatricians.
*a great-granddaughter, sister to one of the new great-grandsons, is having difficulty adjusting to another baby in the house, causing her to forget her potty training. She's back in "pull-ups" for now.
Late in the afternoon, after the heat abated somewhat, I went out to take pictures of sunflowers and surprise lilies (see previous blog). By then, it was time to think about supper. We had a hard time deciding what we wanted, but finally settled on peanut butter and orange marmalade sandwiches, with sliced bananas and fresh peaches on the side. A glass of milk completed the meal.
At 8:30 p.m., we all went over to the local college for an outdoor movie. We dreaded that it would be steamy hot, but a breeze came up that nicely cooled the garden where the movie was shown.
Tonight's show was "August Rush," rated PG. This film, starring Keri Russell and Jonathan Rys-Meyers, has garnered mixed reviews...some love it, others hate it. We enjoyed it.
The plot centers on a young boy (Freddie Highmore), who runs away from an orphanage and falls in with a group of other runaway boys who are under the wing of a man (Robin Williams) who exploits their musical talents for his own benefit (shades of "Oliver Twist").
The boy is the son of a rock musician and a classical musician, who 11 years ago fall in love and have a one-night affair. The boy is a musical genius who learns to play and write music in the course of six months. It's a fanciful movie, but if you like music, if you like love stories, and if you like kids with disarming dimpled smiles, then you'll like this movie.
This free-admission movie was one of several offered this summer by our local arts council. While they have not drawn huge crowds, the number of people attending is about the same as we see at the local multi-screen theater. The next film, "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure," is scheduled for August 31.
Sunflower and Surprise Lilies
This year, Hubbie planted several sunflowers in the corners of the veggie gardens and at the end of the zinnia garden. They have been blooming for about a week. I'm amazed by these very tall plants that feature huge yellow flowers.Lilies like the one shown in the bottom photo are pretty amazing, too. The greenery for these flowers comes up early and then dies away. Then about the middle of July or the beginning of August, long stems poke through the ground. Each very rapidly growing stem bears a bud that opens, seemingly, overnight. These flowers are called "surprise lilies," because of their rapid appearance. They are also called "naked ladies," because the stems bear no leaves, and "resurrection lilies," because the greenery appears first, then dies down, followed by stems and flowers rising up.
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