Month: August 2018

Raining Again, 16 Years Later

My friend , Bonnie, wished me a happy anniversary and said she was sorry it was raining for our special day.

When we were married ,all of our religious friends had their Blessed Mother statues looking outward at a window. It helped, as the ceremony and reception were blessed with good weather.

Believe it or not, we honeymooned in West Cape May, and by the time we got here, it was pretty much a nor’easter. Seeing rain today.? No big deal for us. We were used to getting wet.

We have made it to16…..here’s to the next 16.

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Remembering the Day before

One of my favorite documentaries I found on YouTube was entitled 9/10, the day before. An anchorman from Chanel eleven in NewYork, was reviewing the news stories of 9/10, and in review, how insignificant it all seems,in light of the next day’s events.

Well, today is my day before. Fifteen years ago I was getting ready to marry Jim the next morning. What happened the night before, I can remember being with Ryan, my ” beck and call boy”and my maid of honor Denise. I do remember that last ” single girl’s kiss” from Jim.

So here I am, just about 16 years later, and it is funny. You do remember some of the things from before, but it’s like there was no life before him.

It goes without saying Zush is dearly missed and thought of every day. She has a spot in my heart forever.

I married a loving son and brother, a gentle soul, the best pup daddy on earth and my best friend and lover. He is my sit-down and stand-up comedian, and the breath to my life.

So, albeit a day or few hours early, Happy Anniversary to my Jim. I love you more than all the grains of sand in Higbee and the Panama Canal basin.

Beating Heat

Kasia and I are hiding inside in the air, as the real feel temperature is 100 degrees.

The Gerbers are trying their best to also hang in there.

Kasia.and I found a concert that was playing on the AXIS channel. It was callled Hungarian Rhapsody- Queen live in Bucharest, With this disclaimer, Queen was always one of my favorite groups. Their music brings memories of happy times for me.

The concert ran for an hour, and it’s amazing, after years of sitting at outside concerts, getting bit and the like, well, old age gets me to stay in air-conditioning and enjoying it.

Songs like Radio Gaga, Bohemian Rhapsody, We are the Champions: these were just a few of the hits they played. Freddie Mercury even learned a song in Hungarian and the crowd went wild.

What a pleasure to find a surprise like this on a Wednesday afternoon.

Golden Days of August

Kasia and I have been taking a hit with the humidity down here. We walked almost three quarters of a mile this morning, and when we were done, it looked as if we both took a swim in the bay.

Flowers are hanging in, as long as you remember to water them. Some, despite this, bite the bullet. I brought this one Gerber in to enjoy it before it got worn down by the heat.

Anyhow, Kas and I patiently are waiting for October, or the first 60 degree day. It’s guaranteed we’ll be dancing in our walk when it happens.

Old Folks, Old Car

So you know we’ve been busy visiting my mother-in-law.

Here the jokester switched spots.She was in great form as you can see in this picture.

We had a good visit.

There was only one thing that made the visit a tight squeeze. On Friday night, our car wouldn’t start. Jim ended up getting us a rental car so we’d be able to get up and see her.

So here was our pretty little car. I was in heaven.I didn’t have to climb into our Escape, nor get myself down. On the other side, Jim hated the rental car because he was used to the SUV.

Jim’s buddy, who is a mechanic, diagnosed it long distance. He got a new battery and , for now, the car seems ok. Jim’s Mom is hanging in, as are we.

If only the humidity would leave….

Dad

I can’t believe it’s been twenty years.

Twenty years ago, it started as an ordinary day. Yes, my Dad was on the cusp of entering hospice, but it was not meant to be. I called home mid-morning to check on how things were going, as I normally did.

I was told Dad was having a bad morning, so I left.

Dad left us two o’clock that afternoon.

I couldn’t believe the kindness of my co-workers. Some even came and called at the house to pay their respects.

Twenty years.

You have Mom and now my Zush up there with you. Make sure you give Zush love from her Momma, ok?

I miss you terribly Daddy, but will love you forever.

Age is showing

Today’s alternative to cable is the original, circa 1973-4,”Murder on the Orient Express”, starring, Albert Finney, Lauren Bacall, Martin Balsam, Richard Widmark, Ingrid Bergman, among others.

Because I really enjoyed this movie, available on Amazon Prime for me, I had Jim take me to the 2017 remake, with Kenneth Branagh, Johnny Depp, Dame Judi Dench, among others. What a disappointment.

What’s the old saying? “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

Old School Summer TV

If you read this blog with any regularity, .you know of my fondness for the TV detective series, Colombo, starring the late Peter Falk. In my area, the Hallmark mystery channel runs it in the morning at 8 AM and ME TV runs it on 8 PM Sunday nights.

In this age of NCIS, Criminal Minds, and all the shows which show the actual blood and guts and violence, it is a pleasure to use my mind to try to figure out the. whodunnit of the plot. You don’t always need to see the violence. Isn’t real life bad enough?

The End of August

I am watching a 3 hour special On-Demand regarding Princess Dianna. This year will mark the 21st year of her passing.

This Friday marks the 20th anniversary of my Dad’s passing. In my heart, it still feels like yesterday. I think back and amazed that I remember everything that happened that day.

My friend, Isabella, has her birthday on Friday. It allows me to smile on that day, as Matti and Luca will be joining in the singing.

Of course, bringing up the rear is the 16th anniversary for Jim and myself on the 31st.

All I keep thinking is , how long ago, vacation was always the last week in August.

Thanks. Dad💕😘

Another Saturday

Kasia accompanied us yesterday to see Jim’s Mom at the rehab center. She was really a good girl. Our Zush used to go to the nursing home with us to see our friend Stan. This was the first time Kasia went.

Sometimes she needed a little space, with all the excitement. Under the chair next to my Mother-in-law seemed to fill the spot. Jim took Kasia out a few times and she posed for pictures for Daddy.

Mom was pleased to see all of us, but especially Kasia. She brought her brand of pup sunshine to everyone.

Going Through the Motions

Summer is taking its’ toll.

Our tomatoes were happy until the rains hit. I have gone swimming once so far. The highlight has been my Gerber daisies hanging in there, thanks to advice and some fertilizer.

I’m thankful I have my good friends to check in with and occasionally hang with. Kasia and I keep walking, making up for lost mileage in the boot. I have to admit that this summer has me worn out. Sure, there’s air conditioning but I can’t wait for a good night’s sleep with air conditioning off and windows open.

This is the second summer Kasia has been without her sister.

Sometimes I think, in her own way, she misses Zush as much as I do.We would all have ice in our water when we needed to cool off, and I miss putting towels down to make sure they were not too sloppy. It is true: you always miss what’s gone.

Just like Home

It was a nice change for me.

My cousin Rose Marie was down from the city to hang with me. It was nice actually having family come in.

We did some restaurants , like the Crab Trap, and this morning was Steve’s from route 47. We stayed up late talking and did some shopping at the Christmas tree shop. After all, what’s therapy without shopping.😉

I am blessed to have Rose Marie in my life. She is on of my honorary sisters.

August with the Kas

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My girl Kasia is hanging in during the, pardon the expression,” dog days of August”.

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She takes a rest in shade whenever she gets a chance, and I have no argument with her. We usually try to get out while it’s earlier in the day and make the best of a little later cooler walk.

img_3419When it’s agreeable to us both, we head down to the beach. In some ways, I miss Zush, as she would always take us toward the water. Kasia makes up her own mind daily, and I can honestly say she never goes the same way twice.

She learned from Zush, and has become the best girl on earth. We all know who the best girl in heaven is, in my humble opinion.

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And in the Middle of Things…

….you have seen posts of me since the end of May, when I managed to keep things somewhat light and gay. Well, I wasn’t quite honest.

I have been having severe gastrointestinal issues that have required a ton of testing. In fact, I haven’t had this much testing since 1993, which started the timeline of my first cancer.

Today, I reminded myself how fortunate I am that I have a good retiree medical plan thanks to my old job, and opened my eyes to see the inside of an MRI tube. When I had my first one in 1993, I seem to remember it being completely mirrored. Today, I opened my eyes and saw two yellow tube lights to each side of me on the ceiling. Jeez, Mar, you have gotten old, thank God.

So please forgive me if the posts have been sporadic, but I hope to get my health issues behind me. Send any prayers and good karma, if you can spare them, to me.

Appreciate it!

 

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Long Day’s Journey

We are resting tonight in anticipation of seeing Jim’s Mom tomorrow.

Today’s photo is one of Jim’s Mom with Jim and Kasia. We askedMom for permission to name Kasia.

Jim’s Mom is of Polish decent. Her name, translated from English, would be Kasia..We didn’t want her offended, and she was so taken by Kasia, that she readily agreed and was pleased. Our favorite girl in heaven, Zosia, translated into English, is Sophie. Mom had a sister, Sophie, and Zush always made her smile.

So tomorrow we will go and see her, and hope for the best. We look forward to when we can bring Kasia to see her again.

In Between it All

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The picture above is of my mother-in-law and our family friend, Joe. My mother-in-law is 99 years old. Joe is 95. We teased her about being an older woman. She laughed.

The two of them get along so well. When I saw Joe he’d always ask about Jim’s Mom and Mom about Joe.This was taken during their latest visit at the end of June.

We’ve gotten to the point when Jim’s Mom is still in the hospital and now we await the next steps. Naturally, she will need to go to a rehabilitation center once she gets out. What happens then depends on an ” official” diagnosis. It is hard when you have a family doctor, are admitted into an emergency room, and all of a sudden there are 7 doctors , more or less, moving in and out on you.

And so, we wait. Please keep prayers and good mojo sending toward Jim’s Mom’s way.

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The Beat Goes On…

My thanks to all who inquired as to Jim’s Mom’s health.

img_2883She is resting comfortably and hanging in there. One lesson for anyone with older parents, relatives, friends, or neighbors :stop in and make sure they are hydrated, especially in this heat. I know water isn’t necessarily easy to get down in this heat, but in this case. it’s a necessary evil.

img_2880We are now back in the praying and sharing caregiving game. I’d ask anyone who reads this to hold a good thought for Jim’s Mom. For all of those people out there caregiving, and you KNOW who you are. Hang in there. Savor what time you have together, because you can never get it back.

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Never a Dull Moment

We are taking a ride to the city pretty soon. Jim’s Mom is in the hospital

So, even though you think you are done with road trips, here I am , trying to get stuff together to keep us moving. Driving back to the city in this heat, and after sleeping poorly last night, well, let’s just say I am packing my rosary too.

Kasia has been fed, and my friend will check in on her in a few hours.

Please say some prayers or send out some good karma for Jim’s Mom.

Thanks.😘

In the Pink….

….or orange or cream. My Gerber daisies, thanks to Luca and Matti’s grandpop, George, have been providing me color on my back deck.

Thanks to the advice of fertilizing them, they have been taking turns all summer, giving me pretty colors.

I remember last year when I was lamenting that all I had out back looked like Romaine lettuce. All green leaves and no flowers made for a frustrating first year growing Gerbers.

It’s amazing what some friendly advice will give you, if you listen.

Hope you enjoyed the pictures!