The Longest Days

Storm by PegCole17

Some days go quick as lightning and others drag on for an eternity. But when you get a combination of events that cause both occurences to happen at once, it can be difficult to weather the storm. When I hear the word 'difficult' I think of my mentor, the late Mr. Jim Rohn. I can almost hear him saying that life was filled with opportunity and difficulty. What we do with what we're given is how it will come out.

Just when you think that things are getting back to normal after a long period of a 'disturbance in the force', life is good for a few days, good health is finally starting to bloom, the walker has been put aside and then, well, then the corporation comes along to shake up the boat.

Later today "They" will come and pick up the company car, a brand new Chevy Malibu that served well for the corporate travels that are no longer deemed necessary. "The position has been eliminated". It's one of those euphemisms that corporate people like to use. Now that the particular technical product you supported is not part of their solution, you are no longer necessary either.  But it wasn't as heartless as some "separations from the company" have been. This time there was a grace period of two weeks given, well, less one holiday Monday in which to find another position within the company. Since a recent press leak has indicated an upcoming reduction in force (RIF) of 10% at said company, most departments are holding on to any open requisitions with a tight fist. No luck internally. Been there, done that. Now we're there again.

Each phone call becomes a ray of momentary hope as we wait for news on a position that was available last week with a different company. But with this new development, who knows? It seems easier to get a job when you already have one somehow. We will see as this turns along with the world around us.

After The Hospital

Forest Park Medical Center

It has been a long time since I wrote here on my Blogger account. The past three months in particular have passed by like straight line winds. Now the calm is finally settling in and things are returning to routine. How lovely it is to have a routine: Set the coffee pot the night before to brew automatically; get up and take a shower; get dressed and ready for work. All these things we take for granted when we are able to do them.

But after major surgery, the normal routine things that people do are now dependent on others for help. And life becomes a series of milestones that mark the progress of returning to the routine.

The hospital visit was like nothing I've ever experienced. There is a reason they have been rated as Extraordinary by D Magazine. I'll be writing a review of the experience and publishing it on HubPages soon.

The Big Chill Down in Texas

For the past sixty something days we've had 100 plus degree weather here in Texas. That's right. Since the time my friend visited on the 4th of July, the temperature has reached 100 or more at the Dallas Fort Worth Airport all but one day. Yes, one day it was down to 99 degrees so we broke out the blankets and flannel shirts.

Until yesterday when a north wind came blasting through the plains bringing glorious cool weather. With the wind came a blessed relief of 69 degrees this morning when I let the dogs out at 5:30am. It's like living on another planet; a much cooler one.

The worst drought in 50 years has created enormous cracks in our yard, exposing tree roots and blistering the already stressed leaves and killing many well established trees. We're still praying for rain desperately needed to combat the wildfires raging in our state.

Possum Kingdom Lake took the forefront last week as the top story in the news with 6200 acres aflame and out of control for days. The same area burned in April, dispelling the myth that lightening doesn't strike twice at the same place. Maybe not so true with fire. This morning another wildfire rages in south east Ennis area ravaging homes and property. Floods rage just to our east with Louisianna pelted with the aftermath of Tropical Storm Lee. Too much water there, not enough here.

With the cooler weather, despite the lack of rain, we'll celebrate the Labor Day holiday as usual doing what we enjoy best in our quiet country home.

Blistering Heat Continues in Texas

"Oh, the weather outside is frightful. . ." With temperatures in the 100s and higher for the past thirty something days, one day becomes much like the next here in north Texas.

Our last rainfall was too long ago for the thirsty and distressed trees to remember. Weather reporters and Meteorologists take a daily ration of despair with folks demanding a better forecast.

After temperatures inched into the 110 degree zone one day last week to break a record we're hoping this blistering heat streak will soon be gone.

Channel 5 forecasted these temps last night which give us little hope for a cool down.

Kyphoplasty on the Horizon

Today has been packed full of activity. You know how some days are bland and vanilla, while others have more energy stuffed into 24 hours than most people can handle? This was one of those days.

We've hit another milestone in Mom's health. She's been suffering since early April after lifting a potted plant and injuring her spine, again. No surprise. The last visit to the hospital, Dr. Neece took me aside after her Kyphoplasty procedure was over and said her bones are "like oatmeal". Now, I said, what does that mean? Well, the Kyphoplasty involves inserting a hollow needle into a collapsed vertebra and inflating a balloon to lift the bone to where it should be, then sending cement in the needle to fill the space. So when he did the last surgery in March 2009, he said he could push the needle into her bone with his fingers. That's what he meant by oatmeal. He let me know he thought she "should be in an assisted facility". He wasn't being unkind. In fact, he said his own mother was in one herself and it was very nice with progressive levels of care, etc..



Mom at Dr. Neece's Office in Frisco

 This time, Mom injured T-10 on her back. The next step is scheduling the "procedure". Since when do they call an operation a procedure? Long time now. But anyway. Possibility that it could happen on Thursday, but with her insurance having to approve things, could be next week.

And that's what's ahead on our agenda. The issue of getting someone to stay with Louise while Mom is out of commission is next. It's just not safe for her to be alone at this point. Her birthday last month, when she turned 91, reminded me of how great she is doing: taking care of Sugar, her cat and Fritz, her little dachscund-basset hound mix. He's finally passed her in years and is no spring chicken. But Louise continues to amaze me and inspire me. She still dressed in a matching outfit everyday, makes her bed, washes the dishes, makes lunch for both of them, takes showers on her own and washes her hair. All, things we take for granted, but how will we handle these tasks when we're in our 90s? Let's see.

For now, I'm off to fix my dinner after spending the morning shopping for groceries for Mom and Louise, then taking Mom to Frisco for her MRI which kept us out until around 7pm. Today's another day Scarlett, and we'll think about these things tomorrow, at Tara. Peace and may God Bless you today and always.

Ushering in Spring with Zest

Last week felt more like spring with temps in the mid 70s and warm breezes; a great time to start the spring cleaning. Took a trip to the grocery store on Monday with Mom tagging along- I did her shopping while she sipped a coffee at McDonald's, much safer for her and faster for me.

Tuesday I was determined to furnish the nearly-empty living room, vacant since building the family room addition two years ago and moving the furniture out there. To my own amazement, I found a new Simmons hide-a-bed couch (ahhh-memory foam), a wildly patterned armchair for the bedroom, a rolling lift-top coffee table and a solid wood bookcase in the Rooms for Less showroom that's closing soon. My good fortune was enhanced by the amazing news that the furniture could be delivered that afternoon - and to my delight, it was!

Wednesday I made an appointment for Louise's little Beagle-Dachshund who's needed a trip to the vet for months. Mom wanted to tag along to get out of the house, so the she, Louise, Fritz and I drove to Sachse and saw Dr. Pirkey for an update on Fritz's shots and a general exam. For a 13 year old dog, he's holding his own.

The morning was filled with the noise of professional tree trimmers who managed to turn my three big trees into a sculptured art form. Then we went across the road and they worked on trimming up the mulberry tree at Mom's house.
Tree Trimming Article with Pictures

But the day got even better when I stopped by to speak with the next-door neighbors, who having enjoyed the entertainment of the tree trimming event at Mom's, observed the workers looking under the hood of her old Crown Victoria and asked if I was selling the car. Yep. SOLD! Hooray. No more insurance premiums, inspections, license renewals and best of all, no more costly repairs to Mom's old car.

Thursday was relatively quiet. Hubby and I took a truckload of cardboard to the local recycling center then picked up groceries for our house. Returned home in time to write an article on HubPages - my tawdry escapism and current addiction.

Friday I took Mom to the Rooms for Less store where I'd seen a reclining chair that looked perfect for her. She wanted it, naturally, so we'll go back this week to pick it up. I don't look forward to dragging the thing out of the truck and wrestling it into her living room, but it wasn't worth the delivery fee for one item.

All in all it was a productive week. There's nothing like the warm winds of spring to get me motivated.

Spring is Sprung as March Marches in

Spring is making its presence known here in Texas with mild temperature in the 70s this week.  It's a blessing to see the new blossoms appear on the Bradford Pears and baby Sparrows happily feeding at the bird feeder.

Another welcome event was the sighting of three woodpeckers in the backyard but only one let me capture his image.

The crops in the pastures along Highway 78 are starting to wear their finest green color as St. Patrick's Day soon approaches.

Ah, spring - so delightful.

Below the woodpecker taps out his song to the beat of his own drum.