I had trouble going to sleep last night, and was still tossing and turning at 2 a.m. The train horns didn't help, but I finally drifted off, waking up again at 4 a.m., and drifting off again after a long time. So I was bleary-eyed at 7 a.m., when we got up.
After a breakfast of toasted raisin bread with cream cheese, and a variety of fruits, plus coffee, we took turns using the bathroom to get dressed and ready to go to the festival.
We arrived at the festival around 10 a.m., where a polka band was in full swing. We took a turn around the park, pushing Mother in her wheelchair, to briefly look at the booths offering goods from home baked breads, to honeys and jams, to clothing, to hats, to hair feathers, to temporary tattoos, to manicures, to characiture drawings, to jewelry, etc.
Then we parked Mother's wheelchair under trees near the bandstand, where she enjoyed the music while we visited the winery booths to sample wines. Before we did this, though, I went to the ice cream stand to buy Mother a cup of soft serve ice cream. I was surprised that the fellow running the stand remembered me from last year. Of course this is a very, very small community (under 300 population), so anyone new in town is probably noticed right away.
We watched a grape stomp, followed by the blessing of the vines by a local priest, before returning to the campground for lunch. After lunch, I convinced Mother that she should take a nap, and helped her get comfortable on the couch under a couple of afghans, before Hubbie, Sis, and I went to a package store owned by one of the wineries.
We didn't find anything we wanted there, so we went to the store's winery, which is located in a Swiss village that is an incorporated town (population 46). After visiting the tasting room, we bought a bottle of this year's festival wine, along with bottles of our other favorites.
While we were in the village, Hubbie made reservations for dinner at the German restaurant, located in the village's quaint former wine cellar. Here, the waitresses are dressed in colorful Swiss costumes, and ours agreed to let me photograph her seated with Mother and Sis.
For dinner (served by candlelight), Mother, Sis, and I ordered baked salmon, with baked potatoes, while Hubbie ordered steak and shrimp. Before the main course, we were served a salad, followed by Swiss onion soup and hot loaves of yeast bread. We also enjoyed a bottle of wine with the meal.
After we returned to the campground, we again played several rounds of Skipbo (Mother's favorite game). I think we each won at least one game this time, but Sis and Hubbie still remained the champs.
Just after dark, we hopped in the truck (well, Mother, already dressed in her pajamas and housecoat, didn't exactly hop in), and rode down to the end of the campground, where there is a spectacular view of the lighted bridge. This is listed as one of the sixteen prettiest lighted spans in the state, with it's amber lights reflecting off the water.
Then we swung back by the dam to see those lights. These are white lights, but the effect is still nice.
Back home, we resumed playing cards, but by this time, thanks to loss of sleep last night and a day of wine sampling, I was having a hard time staying awake, so we soon decided to call it a night.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Friday, July 29
Up at 6 a.m., so we could get on the road to the grape festival about two hours northwest. Sis arrived at camp before we left so she could follow us to the campground in a town a few miles from the town where the festival was held.
We arrived before lunch. It was a hot day, but not intolerable at the shaded campground, situated along the lake. Once the camper was set up, we had a sandwich lunch, and then Mother, Sis, and I enjoyed relaxing in lawn chairs outdoors. The scenery at this campground is lovely.
I grabbed my camera when a barge, pushed by a tugboat, came through the lock at the nearby dam. There is something so appealing about those white tugboats...so deceptively cute while being powerful workhorses of the river.
A railroad track runs along the bank across the lake, upon which trains traveled several times a day and night, blaring their warning horns no matter the hour. I was often awakened by them during our two-night stay. Still, it was fascinating to watch the trains roll through when we relaxed outdoors.
Nature abounds at the campground, with geese upending themselves in the lake, looking for food on the lake bottom, turtles crawing onto dead logs to bask in the sun, and fish breaking the surface of the lake in an attempt to catch bugs floating there.
Later, Mother went indoors to rest in the camper air conditioning, while Hubbie, Sis, and I went to the town where the festival was scheduled to begin in the evening. We toured three of the four wineries, where we sampled several sweet wines, and bought bottles of our favorites, including Splendid Red, processed with Splenda, and a new variety called Moscato. We really, really like this one, and I bought four bottles of it. We also like the wines made with fruits other than grapes, like a delicious blackberry variety that one of the wineries offered.
Then we stopped by the park, where festival booths were being set up. There I bought
ten cartons of sweet seedless grapes...a variety called Reliance, which are small pink grapes, and one called Venus, which are small, deep purple ones.
Last year, we were disappointed that Reliance grapes were not available. We were told by the vendor that the success of that variety depends on weather conditions. Last year was wet, so the grapes failed, while there is an abundance of them this year, thanks to a dry spring.
We also stopped by a grocery store to look for Vidalia onions. Didn't find those, but I picked up a carton of strawberries to go with the grapes, peaches, cantaloupe and watermelon to have for Saturday and Sunday beakfasts, along with raisin bread and Mother's homemade banana bread.
Back home, we had a supper of barbecue pork sandwiches, with coleslaw, baked beans, and sliced tomatoes. Afterward, played several games of Skipbo, with Sis and Hubbie winning all of them.
By 10 p.m., we were all plenty ready for bed. It had been a long, but enjoyable day.
We arrived before lunch. It was a hot day, but not intolerable at the shaded campground, situated along the lake. Once the camper was set up, we had a sandwich lunch, and then Mother, Sis, and I enjoyed relaxing in lawn chairs outdoors. The scenery at this campground is lovely.
I grabbed my camera when a barge, pushed by a tugboat, came through the lock at the nearby dam. There is something so appealing about those white tugboats...so deceptively cute while being powerful workhorses of the river.
A railroad track runs along the bank across the lake, upon which trains traveled several times a day and night, blaring their warning horns no matter the hour. I was often awakened by them during our two-night stay. Still, it was fascinating to watch the trains roll through when we relaxed outdoors.
Nature abounds at the campground, with geese upending themselves in the lake, looking for food on the lake bottom, turtles crawing onto dead logs to bask in the sun, and fish breaking the surface of the lake in an attempt to catch bugs floating there.
Later, Mother went indoors to rest in the camper air conditioning, while Hubbie, Sis, and I went to the town where the festival was scheduled to begin in the evening. We toured three of the four wineries, where we sampled several sweet wines, and bought bottles of our favorites, including Splendid Red, processed with Splenda, and a new variety called Moscato. We really, really like this one, and I bought four bottles of it. We also like the wines made with fruits other than grapes, like a delicious blackberry variety that one of the wineries offered.
Then we stopped by the park, where festival booths were being set up. There I bought
ten cartons of sweet seedless grapes...a variety called Reliance, which are small pink grapes, and one called Venus, which are small, deep purple ones.
Last year, we were disappointed that Reliance grapes were not available. We were told by the vendor that the success of that variety depends on weather conditions. Last year was wet, so the grapes failed, while there is an abundance of them this year, thanks to a dry spring.
We also stopped by a grocery store to look for Vidalia onions. Didn't find those, but I picked up a carton of strawberries to go with the grapes, peaches, cantaloupe and watermelon to have for Saturday and Sunday beakfasts, along with raisin bread and Mother's homemade banana bread.
Back home, we had a supper of barbecue pork sandwiches, with coleslaw, baked beans, and sliced tomatoes. Afterward, played several games of Skipbo, with Sis and Hubbie winning all of them.
By 10 p.m., we were all plenty ready for bed. It had been a long, but enjoyable day.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Thursday, July 28
We were up early this morning, at 6 a.m., so we could finish packing the camper and get on the road. We left town at 8:30 on this very hot day, and had an uneventful trip the two and a half hours to the campground. We arrived around 11 a.m.
As Hubbie was setting up the camper, we heard the sound of glass shattering. Seems that a microwave dish had fallen out of the cabinet and wedged between the cabinet and the slide out. When Hubbie operated the slide out, the dish got crushed. Usually, Hubbie ties that cabinet door closed, but forgot to this time.
After lunch, Mother and I prepared fruits to take to Grandson's wedding later in the day. Hubbie cut a large watermelon and cantaloupe, which Mother and I cubed. We also washed strawberries and grapes, and peeled and sliced peaches. Before we sliced the peaches, I looked for the fruit fresh that I'd planned to bring, but somehow it had been left at home.
So Hubbie and I went in search of some at the WDCS, where there was none. We also searched a grocery store, and another store, with no luck. So we returned to the grocery store and picked up a few lemons.
Back at camp, once we'd finished preparing the fruits, we all changed clothes to go to the wedding. The wedding was scheduled for 7 p.m., but we wanted to be there by 5 p.m., so I could take pictures of the bride getting ready for her big day.
The wedding took place right on schedule. The bride was beautiful in a full-length satin gown with scooped neckline, short sleeves, and bodice with an embroidered chiffon layer accented with pearls. Her cape-style double veil fell to a train bordered with embroidery and pearls. A satin and pearl headpiece held the veil in place. A pearl necklace, and a bouquet of white and pale yellow roses, centered with bright pink lilies, accented with baby's breath, and tied with a white satin ribbon, completed her ensemble.
The bridesmaids wore short form-fitting palest yellow dresses that featured soft horizontal gathering on the fronts and matching gathered one-shoulder straps. The toddler flower girl wore a white organdy sundress embroidered with pink flowers.
The bridegroom was attired in a white linen suit accented with a yellow vest and tie. The best man wore a white shirt and yellow tie, with khaki slacks.
A reception following the ceremony featured a bride's yellow layer/groom's chocolate layer two-tier white iced cake, piped with yellow icing around the edges of each tier, and topped with a pair of silver hearts. Daughter-in-law made this lovely and delicious cake.
The bride and groom were toasted with a choice of champagne or wine, the best man (my son) gave a short speech, and after the couple cut the wedding cake, guests enjoyed a buffet of sandwiches, ham roll-ups, sausage balls, cocktail wieners, cheese and crackers, and fruit.
By 9 p.m., most folks began departing, though some stayed behind to dance and continue the party. We arrived back at our camper around 9:30, tired and ready to hit the sack.
As Hubbie was setting up the camper, we heard the sound of glass shattering. Seems that a microwave dish had fallen out of the cabinet and wedged between the cabinet and the slide out. When Hubbie operated the slide out, the dish got crushed. Usually, Hubbie ties that cabinet door closed, but forgot to this time.
After lunch, Mother and I prepared fruits to take to Grandson's wedding later in the day. Hubbie cut a large watermelon and cantaloupe, which Mother and I cubed. We also washed strawberries and grapes, and peeled and sliced peaches. Before we sliced the peaches, I looked for the fruit fresh that I'd planned to bring, but somehow it had been left at home.
So Hubbie and I went in search of some at the WDCS, where there was none. We also searched a grocery store, and another store, with no luck. So we returned to the grocery store and picked up a few lemons.
Back at camp, once we'd finished preparing the fruits, we all changed clothes to go to the wedding. The wedding was scheduled for 7 p.m., but we wanted to be there by 5 p.m., so I could take pictures of the bride getting ready for her big day.
The wedding took place right on schedule. The bride was beautiful in a full-length satin gown with scooped neckline, short sleeves, and bodice with an embroidered chiffon layer accented with pearls. Her cape-style double veil fell to a train bordered with embroidery and pearls. A satin and pearl headpiece held the veil in place. A pearl necklace, and a bouquet of white and pale yellow roses, centered with bright pink lilies, accented with baby's breath, and tied with a white satin ribbon, completed her ensemble.
The bridesmaids wore short form-fitting palest yellow dresses that featured soft horizontal gathering on the fronts and matching gathered one-shoulder straps. The toddler flower girl wore a white organdy sundress embroidered with pink flowers.
The bridegroom was attired in a white linen suit accented with a yellow vest and tie. The best man wore a white shirt and yellow tie, with khaki slacks.
A reception following the ceremony featured a bride's yellow layer/groom's chocolate layer two-tier white iced cake, piped with yellow icing around the edges of each tier, and topped with a pair of silver hearts. Daughter-in-law made this lovely and delicious cake.
The bride and groom were toasted with a choice of champagne or wine, the best man (my son) gave a short speech, and after the couple cut the wedding cake, guests enjoyed a buffet of sandwiches, ham roll-ups, sausage balls, cocktail wieners, cheese and crackers, and fruit.
By 9 p.m., most folks began departing, though some stayed behind to dance and continue the party. We arrived back at our camper around 9:30, tired and ready to hit the sack.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Wednesday, July 27
Up at 6 a.m., so I could get ready to go to water aerobics. Postponed breakfast, and headed the pool around 6:45. Early morning heat and humidity created mist among the trees on the hill leading to the college that was pretty, but foreshadowed another oppressively hot day. The pool was wonderful, though.
The story from the pool today was that a woman who was murdered at her job as a cleaning woman at a post office in the southern part of the state, was the mother-in-law to the daughter of one of our members. A suspect has been arrested in the horrific crime, in which the killer dragged the victim's body to her car and set it ablaze.
Back home, Hubbie commented that he took the lawn mower to the dealership, where they found the problem right away. Seems a piece of a gumball had lodged under the pulley belt and had to be pried out. Hubbie had looked for a problem, but was unable to see the gumball. The repairman noticed a suspicious bulge in the belt that made him inspect further.
Once I was ready for the day, Hubbie and I shopped for groceries and incidentals at the WDCS. We were back around noon, when we had deli chicken sandwiches, with onions, tomatoes, and lettuce.
I was supposed to take Mother to the clinic for a follow-up urine test around 1 p.m., but I learned that she'd visited the bathroom at 10 a.m., because she couldn't hold it any longer (a mystery to me, since at the same hour Monday, she was only able to contribute a sample of about a half teaspoon, despite not having visited the bathroom since 5 a.m.).
I figured that if only three hours passed before we went to the clinic, she would have the same problem she'd had on Monday. So I called the clinic and explained the situation, and was told she could come in when she "got the urge."
By 2 p.m., she had an urgent urge, so off we went. She had no problem this time giving quite an ample sample.
Back home, we did things related to going to a grandson's wedding tomorrow. It'll be an outdoor wedding, and we anticipate that it's going to be exceedingly hot. I've decided to contribute fruit plates of watermelon, cantaloupe, strawberries, grapes, and peaches, plus a bottle of sparkling pink grape juice, and a bottle of white grape juice for those who prefer not to drink the champagne and wine being provided at the reception. Mother is one who will prefer the grape juice. I'm also taking a large stack of handheld fans for guests to use. The fans sport all sorts of advertising, but I don't think the guests will mind.
For supper, we had barbecue sandwiches, with coleslaw, sauteed potatoes, boiled yellow squash, and cherry tomatoes. Mother went home afterward, and Hubbie and I watched the 2011 Lifetime Movie Network feature, "Borderline Murder." A young law student thinks her stripper sister may have been murdered, and in her search, turns up border clinics, where cheap, but crude plastic surgery is performed.
The story from the pool today was that a woman who was murdered at her job as a cleaning woman at a post office in the southern part of the state, was the mother-in-law to the daughter of one of our members. A suspect has been arrested in the horrific crime, in which the killer dragged the victim's body to her car and set it ablaze.
Back home, Hubbie commented that he took the lawn mower to the dealership, where they found the problem right away. Seems a piece of a gumball had lodged under the pulley belt and had to be pried out. Hubbie had looked for a problem, but was unable to see the gumball. The repairman noticed a suspicious bulge in the belt that made him inspect further.
Once I was ready for the day, Hubbie and I shopped for groceries and incidentals at the WDCS. We were back around noon, when we had deli chicken sandwiches, with onions, tomatoes, and lettuce.
I was supposed to take Mother to the clinic for a follow-up urine test around 1 p.m., but I learned that she'd visited the bathroom at 10 a.m., because she couldn't hold it any longer (a mystery to me, since at the same hour Monday, she was only able to contribute a sample of about a half teaspoon, despite not having visited the bathroom since 5 a.m.).
I figured that if only three hours passed before we went to the clinic, she would have the same problem she'd had on Monday. So I called the clinic and explained the situation, and was told she could come in when she "got the urge."
By 2 p.m., she had an urgent urge, so off we went. She had no problem this time giving quite an ample sample.
Back home, we did things related to going to a grandson's wedding tomorrow. It'll be an outdoor wedding, and we anticipate that it's going to be exceedingly hot. I've decided to contribute fruit plates of watermelon, cantaloupe, strawberries, grapes, and peaches, plus a bottle of sparkling pink grape juice, and a bottle of white grape juice for those who prefer not to drink the champagne and wine being provided at the reception. Mother is one who will prefer the grape juice. I'm also taking a large stack of handheld fans for guests to use. The fans sport all sorts of advertising, but I don't think the guests will mind.
For supper, we had barbecue sandwiches, with coleslaw, sauteed potatoes, boiled yellow squash, and cherry tomatoes. Mother went home afterward, and Hubbie and I watched the 2011 Lifetime Movie Network feature, "Borderline Murder." A young law student thinks her stripper sister may have been murdered, and in her search, turns up border clinics, where cheap, but crude plastic surgery is performed.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Tuesday, July 26
Up around 7:30 this morning, and did a treadmill session and weights exercises after breakfast. After that, I washed and ironed clothes, and did other household tasks.
Around 10:30, Hubbie and I went to a nearby town to buy a watermelon and a cantaloupe from our favorite farmer. There were plenty of the fruits to choose from on the flatbed trailers, but no one was around. Instead there was a sign urging visitors to choose what they wanted and leave the money in a coffee can sitting on a table. It's heartening to know that this on-your-honor system still works in the rural south.
From the farm, we went to a grocery store to get a carton of cottage cheese, and a couple of bags of coleslaw mix. Then, because we forgot to get one, we headed to another grocery store for a head of lettuce.
Back home, I made turkey bacon/lettuce/tomato/Vidalia onion sandwiches for Hubbie's and my lunch. It was 1 p.m. by that time, and Mother had already eaten. She'd spent her morning gathering what she needed for a trip, but when we checked her clothes, we noticed she had shirts, but no slacks. She insisted the slacks were on the same hangers as the shirts, but they were not.
I had to accompany her to her bedroom and make sure she located her slacks, plus a few more shirts, in case the hot weather requires changes. I also made sure she had a flannel shirt for cool rooms, and a jacket in case of a rainy day or cooler weather (however unlikely).
Got a call from the doctor's office around 1:30. The nurse said that Mother needs to return to the clinic tomorrow to give another urine sample, since the miniscule amount she contributed yesterday wasn't enough for the doctor to tell for sure if she has an infection or not.
So I'll take her in after lunch. Maybe if she drinks lots of fluids and doesn't visit the bathroom all morning, she'll be able to give a decent sample by 1 p.m. I hope.
Spent the rest of the afternoon getting things ready for a trip later this week to attend a grandson's wedding.
Later, for supper, we had baked potatoes topped with leftover pork chops from the freezer that had been prepared in barbecue sauce with carrots, onions, and celery, and sides of coleslaw and sliced tomatoes. Very satisfying.
Mother went home afterward, and Hubbie went out to mow the lawn. He returned moments later saying the lawn mower is making funny noises. Since it's still under warranty, he'll have to take it to the dealership for repairs in the morning. Always something breaking down around here.
Tonight, we watched one-hour shows on TV, including an Italian detective show called "Zen," from the public channel. This TV series was filmed in Italy, but the characters speak English (British, not American).
We also watched "Rizzoli and Isles," from the TNT channel. We really like this series, starring Angie Harmon. It's about a woman detective, and her female forensics friend. The relationship between these friends is comical, as is the detective's relationship with her interferring mother.
The third show we watched was "Memphis Beat," also from the TNT channel. This one revolves around a quirky detective in Memphis, who has a passion for blues music. Many episode end with the main character singing legendary Elvis songs. I just learned this weekend that the actor who plays the detective doesn't do his own singing...it's a voice over.
Around 10:30, Hubbie and I went to a nearby town to buy a watermelon and a cantaloupe from our favorite farmer. There were plenty of the fruits to choose from on the flatbed trailers, but no one was around. Instead there was a sign urging visitors to choose what they wanted and leave the money in a coffee can sitting on a table. It's heartening to know that this on-your-honor system still works in the rural south.
From the farm, we went to a grocery store to get a carton of cottage cheese, and a couple of bags of coleslaw mix. Then, because we forgot to get one, we headed to another grocery store for a head of lettuce.
Back home, I made turkey bacon/lettuce/tomato/Vidalia onion sandwiches for Hubbie's and my lunch. It was 1 p.m. by that time, and Mother had already eaten. She'd spent her morning gathering what she needed for a trip, but when we checked her clothes, we noticed she had shirts, but no slacks. She insisted the slacks were on the same hangers as the shirts, but they were not.
I had to accompany her to her bedroom and make sure she located her slacks, plus a few more shirts, in case the hot weather requires changes. I also made sure she had a flannel shirt for cool rooms, and a jacket in case of a rainy day or cooler weather (however unlikely).
Got a call from the doctor's office around 1:30. The nurse said that Mother needs to return to the clinic tomorrow to give another urine sample, since the miniscule amount she contributed yesterday wasn't enough for the doctor to tell for sure if she has an infection or not.
So I'll take her in after lunch. Maybe if she drinks lots of fluids and doesn't visit the bathroom all morning, she'll be able to give a decent sample by 1 p.m. I hope.
Spent the rest of the afternoon getting things ready for a trip later this week to attend a grandson's wedding.
Later, for supper, we had baked potatoes topped with leftover pork chops from the freezer that had been prepared in barbecue sauce with carrots, onions, and celery, and sides of coleslaw and sliced tomatoes. Very satisfying.
Mother went home afterward, and Hubbie went out to mow the lawn. He returned moments later saying the lawn mower is making funny noises. Since it's still under warranty, he'll have to take it to the dealership for repairs in the morning. Always something breaking down around here.
Tonight, we watched one-hour shows on TV, including an Italian detective show called "Zen," from the public channel. This TV series was filmed in Italy, but the characters speak English (British, not American).
We also watched "Rizzoli and Isles," from the TNT channel. We really like this series, starring Angie Harmon. It's about a woman detective, and her female forensics friend. The relationship between these friends is comical, as is the detective's relationship with her interferring mother.
The third show we watched was "Memphis Beat," also from the TNT channel. This one revolves around a quirky detective in Memphis, who has a passion for blues music. Many episode end with the main character singing legendary Elvis songs. I just learned this weekend that the actor who plays the detective doesn't do his own singing...it's a voice over.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Monday, July 25
We were up at 6 a.m. this morning, so I could get ready to go to water aerobics. The session was set for 7:30, instead of 8:30, because Special Olympics kids had reserved the pool for our regular hour.
I put off having breakfast, so I could be at the pool by 7 a.m. for half an hour of swimming in the deep end before aerobics began. Felt wonderful, of course. More members attended than I thought would show up at that early hour.
After aerobics, in the dressing room, a lady showed up late for the session. She hadn't gotten word that we were to meet earlier. She was very disappointed, because she wanted to get back to water aerobics after suffering a heart episode last March that required a stent, and then another episode a couple of months ago that required another stent.
Learned today that our lifeguard is a resident of a nearby youth ranch. The ranch takes care of youth from broken homes, where they may have been neglected or abused. This particular young man is very nice, and according to an article in the ranch's newsletter, has more than one job while attending the college where the pool is located. We're glad to have him as our lifeguard.
Back home, once I was ready for the day, I took Mother for an appointment for a follow up urine test. Even though she had drunk coffee and water in the five hours since she'd visited the bathroom at 5 a.m., she simply could not provide a sample of more than a half teaspoon. I think she gets tinkle retention as soon as she enters a doctor's office. I tried everything, like running water in the sink, trying to make her laugh, etc. Nothing worked. But the nurse said she thought what Mother provided might be enough for a test, so I guess all is well.
At home, after lunch, I devoted an hour to preparing a lesson plan, before going down to the college library to meet with my student. Today, my student greeted me with two Ziplock bags...one containing a nice size sweet banana pepper, and the other containing seven fresh figs. Both treats are from their family garden.
The lesson today included conversation revolving around visiting a doctor and understanding physician instructions, as well as describing symptoms using "ache" and "hurt" appropriately: "I have an earache, headache, toothache, backache," or "my foot hurts, my arm hurts," etc.
We also covered adverbs ending in "ly," as in quickly, carefully, softly, loudly, and recognizing the difference in the words "passed," and "past," and the "s" and "th" sound differences in "sink," and "think," and "sank," and "thank," "sin," and "thin," etc.
Using noun substitutes of "one," and "it," were a bit confusing for her: "Would you like an apple?" "Yes, I'd like one," in contrast with, "Would you like this apple?" "Yes, I'd like it."
Back home after the session, Mother had heated leftovers from yesterday...slow cooker chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, and yellow squash, which we had with sliced tomatoes. She went home afterward, and Hubbie and I went to the store that has a sale every weekend, where I spent a $10 coupon to buy a pair of denim crop pants.
Later, we watched a subtitled movie called, "Cell 211." A young guard on his first day on the job, inadvertently gets caught up in a prison riot. The guard poses as a prisoner in order to survive. Intense movie, with some surprising twists and turns.
I put off having breakfast, so I could be at the pool by 7 a.m. for half an hour of swimming in the deep end before aerobics began. Felt wonderful, of course. More members attended than I thought would show up at that early hour.
After aerobics, in the dressing room, a lady showed up late for the session. She hadn't gotten word that we were to meet earlier. She was very disappointed, because she wanted to get back to water aerobics after suffering a heart episode last March that required a stent, and then another episode a couple of months ago that required another stent.
Learned today that our lifeguard is a resident of a nearby youth ranch. The ranch takes care of youth from broken homes, where they may have been neglected or abused. This particular young man is very nice, and according to an article in the ranch's newsletter, has more than one job while attending the college where the pool is located. We're glad to have him as our lifeguard.
Back home, once I was ready for the day, I took Mother for an appointment for a follow up urine test. Even though she had drunk coffee and water in the five hours since she'd visited the bathroom at 5 a.m., she simply could not provide a sample of more than a half teaspoon. I think she gets tinkle retention as soon as she enters a doctor's office. I tried everything, like running water in the sink, trying to make her laugh, etc. Nothing worked. But the nurse said she thought what Mother provided might be enough for a test, so I guess all is well.
At home, after lunch, I devoted an hour to preparing a lesson plan, before going down to the college library to meet with my student. Today, my student greeted me with two Ziplock bags...one containing a nice size sweet banana pepper, and the other containing seven fresh figs. Both treats are from their family garden.
The lesson today included conversation revolving around visiting a doctor and understanding physician instructions, as well as describing symptoms using "ache" and "hurt" appropriately: "I have an earache, headache, toothache, backache," or "my foot hurts, my arm hurts," etc.
We also covered adverbs ending in "ly," as in quickly, carefully, softly, loudly, and recognizing the difference in the words "passed," and "past," and the "s" and "th" sound differences in "sink," and "think," and "sank," and "thank," "sin," and "thin," etc.
Using noun substitutes of "one," and "it," were a bit confusing for her: "Would you like an apple?" "Yes, I'd like one," in contrast with, "Would you like this apple?" "Yes, I'd like it."
Back home after the session, Mother had heated leftovers from yesterday...slow cooker chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, and yellow squash, which we had with sliced tomatoes. She went home afterward, and Hubbie and I went to the store that has a sale every weekend, where I spent a $10 coupon to buy a pair of denim crop pants.
Later, we watched a subtitled movie called, "Cell 211." A young guard on his first day on the job, inadvertently gets caught up in a prison riot. The guard poses as a prisoner in order to survive. Intense movie, with some surprising twists and turns.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Sunday, July 24
Up at 7:30, and did a treadmill session and resistance exercises after breakfast. Once I was ready for the day, I did several loads of wash, and other household tasks. Mother came over around 9:30, and put chicken in the slow cooker for lunch.
We had the chicken with mashed potatoes, gravy, boiled yellow squash from our garden, and sliced tomatoes. Very yummy meal.
After lunch, we went to the fairgrounds to pick up our entries, ribbons, and award checks. Everything that we made (and it's a tidy sum) goes to Mother for her "mad money"...to use for entertainment, or whatever she wants.
Back home, I counted the ribbons...74 blue (first place), and 14 red (second place), plus one Best of Show that Mother won. There were lots of nice comments on the entry tags. The tag on my garden basket noted that it had been considered for Best of Show.
We were a little amused by the judge's comments on our baked goods. All but one entry were given blue ribbons, with comments that the cookies, muffins, and breads were "tasty, with good texture," followed with the comment that they were "too dry"...except for one entry that was, in the judge's estimation, "too moist."
The judge obviously doesn't like chocolate, because our candy entries all had "too much cocoa" in them, when, in fact, none of them had cocoa. We used chocolate morsels. We didn't mind the comments, because we got blue ribbons on our entries, anyway.
All our greeting cards got blue ribbons, too, with lots of nice comments. My quilled card was also considered for best of show.
We're glad we saw fit to go collect our entries at 1 p.m., because around 2 p.m., a severe thunderstorm cropped up, with scary lightening and loud claps of thunder. A time or two, we lost our power for a few seconds. During one of those times, Mother was coming out of the kitchen when lightening caused a frying sound in there. We found nothing amiss, however.
Later, we had an afternoon snack of peaches and ice cream, and then relaxed for a couple of hours. We intended to go to the college tonight for an outdoor showing of "The Blind Side," but it was probably cancelled due to inclement weather. Whether it was or not, we decided to just watch it at home, since I'd recorded it on DVR just in case.
Hubbie and I saw this really great movie at the theater, but it was the first viewing for Mother. She is as enchanted by it as we are. Afterward, I walked her to her house, in case the ground was slick from the rain. The rain had quit, but it was still overcast, and the foggy atmosphere was thick with humidity. Mosquitoes were out in force, too...another good reason for not attending an outdoor movie.
After Mother went home, Hubbie and I watched the 2002 sports movie, "Goal 2: Living the Dream." A small-town kid continues his dream of becoming a professional soccer player.
Note: we're glad to see hummingbirds are at last visiting the feeders. I guess they've been here all along, but found the nectar of the spring flowers more to their liking. Now, since there aren't many flowers to choose from other than rose of Sharon and zinnias, the birds welcome the nectar in the feeders, since they need to concentrate on fueling up for their long migration later in September.
We had the chicken with mashed potatoes, gravy, boiled yellow squash from our garden, and sliced tomatoes. Very yummy meal.
After lunch, we went to the fairgrounds to pick up our entries, ribbons, and award checks. Everything that we made (and it's a tidy sum) goes to Mother for her "mad money"...to use for entertainment, or whatever she wants.
Back home, I counted the ribbons...74 blue (first place), and 14 red (second place), plus one Best of Show that Mother won. There were lots of nice comments on the entry tags. The tag on my garden basket noted that it had been considered for Best of Show.
We were a little amused by the judge's comments on our baked goods. All but one entry were given blue ribbons, with comments that the cookies, muffins, and breads were "tasty, with good texture," followed with the comment that they were "too dry"...except for one entry that was, in the judge's estimation, "too moist."
The judge obviously doesn't like chocolate, because our candy entries all had "too much cocoa" in them, when, in fact, none of them had cocoa. We used chocolate morsels. We didn't mind the comments, because we got blue ribbons on our entries, anyway.
All our greeting cards got blue ribbons, too, with lots of nice comments. My quilled card was also considered for best of show.
We're glad we saw fit to go collect our entries at 1 p.m., because around 2 p.m., a severe thunderstorm cropped up, with scary lightening and loud claps of thunder. A time or two, we lost our power for a few seconds. During one of those times, Mother was coming out of the kitchen when lightening caused a frying sound in there. We found nothing amiss, however.
Later, we had an afternoon snack of peaches and ice cream, and then relaxed for a couple of hours. We intended to go to the college tonight for an outdoor showing of "The Blind Side," but it was probably cancelled due to inclement weather. Whether it was or not, we decided to just watch it at home, since I'd recorded it on DVR just in case.
Hubbie and I saw this really great movie at the theater, but it was the first viewing for Mother. She is as enchanted by it as we are. Afterward, I walked her to her house, in case the ground was slick from the rain. The rain had quit, but it was still overcast, and the foggy atmosphere was thick with humidity. Mosquitoes were out in force, too...another good reason for not attending an outdoor movie.
After Mother went home, Hubbie and I watched the 2002 sports movie, "Goal 2: Living the Dream." A small-town kid continues his dream of becoming a professional soccer player.
Note: we're glad to see hummingbirds are at last visiting the feeders. I guess they've been here all along, but found the nectar of the spring flowers more to their liking. Now, since there aren't many flowers to choose from other than rose of Sharon and zinnias, the birds welcome the nectar in the feeders, since they need to concentrate on fueling up for their long migration later in September.
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