...To good and the bad,
The happy and sad.
God bless us everyone,
Family and Friends it’s good to be here again….
So, I believe that is how the song goes. My extra chorus would god something like - God bless the medical staff, the housekeepers, the dietary people, the maintenance crew and ground keepers, the chaplains, the respiratory therapist, the lab people, the administration people and all the people seen and unseen. To have access to good medical care is truly a gift. God bless the billions of people who do not have such a gift and may we somehow work towards a more just system of equality among all.
Christmas weekend was the first experienced of being in the hospital except for the night after Ben was born. It is hard to describe what it is like in a semi-private room. Not that it was a bad experience, just not a pleasant one. My roomie was good one – a talker who has had a difficult life. Christmas eve day came and went just like any other day. Usually we would have the kids down for dinner and gift exchange that night but this year just had a different flavor to it. Midnight came and went with the nurses helping my roomie in to the bathroom yet again. Good chance to wake up and wish everyone a Merry Christmas. One of the nurses shared her tradition of mid-night mass that she was missing this year – I thanked her for that and for being there for us. I also had the wonderful situation where most of the kids came and sat with me during the day. My roomie had no visitors.
Jerry and Ben were my early morning visitors on Christmas along with our good friend and hospital chaplain, Fr. Bob Henderson – more on that visit in a minute. The doctor came in and asked if I wanted to go home – silly question. I was home by about 11:30. Jerry had time to get to at least the second half of Christmas Mass.
The rest of the day was somewhat different than most Christmases. I joined in Jerry’s large family celebration for a few hours but then came home to go to bed by 8:00.
The day after Christmas found the kids and boyfriends at the house for dinner and gift exchanged. Clair, with the help of everyone else, too k over the kitchen duties and pulled off a wonderfully delicious meal. Many good gifts were exchanged. Good conversation and laughter. My best gift was just being all together. It was a perfect evening.
Backing up a little to the Christmas blessing delivered by Fr. Henderson. There was a lot going on in the room at that moment. At the tail end of the blessing I caught the eye of the nurse waiting to get the discharge on the move I felt totally distracted and not very present to the moment. But just let me say that God works in spite of us sometimes. So I’m going to give that blessing credit for something that happened a few hours later. I walked in to the house and sat in my favorite old blue chair. A moment later I asked what that smell was. Hmmm, smell…. Those of you who have been around me lately know that I lost my sense of smell and taste just about 3 years ago. But wait, what was that smell? I went to the kitchen and smelled the peanut butter, the vanilla, the cinnamon, the chili powder, the orange juice, the ice cream – you probably get the idea by now. Later on Christmas I could taste the appetizers. What an exciting experience! What a gift! Now it may be the combination of meds and blessing but I just want to say – What a gift! Thank to all family, friends and God Bless ’Everyone’!
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Road Trips, Road Trips, Everywhere
Road trips, Road trips, Everywhere and so many turns on the way.
So, we got home from our ‘out west – national park road trip.’ It was wonder-ful. So many sights, so many campgrounds, so many star filled nights, so many pictures.
Life was somewhat ‘normal’ for a while. We joined a gym and have worked out on a fairly regular basis. Life was good. Then on Tuesday - 11/28. Clair got an email from a friend offering us a spot on a National Geography Cruise to the Galapagos Islands. Believe it or not we thought about it for a night-looked up air fares and left bright and early the following Friday morning for Ecuador. No grass growing under our feet! If you want the long version of this, talk to us in person. If you want pictures, let us know and we’ll send you a link. It was ten days filled with snorkeling, hiking, swimming, lectures, Zodiac boat rides, indescribable nature – many, many different types of birds, iguanas, sea lions, fur seals, and so much food. It was wonder-ful. We had no internet coverage so there were no blogs written there and anyway it would be hard to find the words to do it justice.
We arrived back home on December 13th. Oh wait, it’s the Christmas season! Hit the ground running! And I did! Just about caught up by the 23rd. Dinner planned for all the kids on Christmas eve. Oh, wait, ‘we make plans and God laughs’. I remember that. So on Dec. 23 Jerry and I took a road trip to the ER. Apparently I had a very serious asthma attack - first ever. O2 levels very low, b/p very high. Did the whole 9 yards of all possible tests. So here I sit in room 2323, knowing that I won’t be home for Christmas eve. But hoping that I will be home for Christmas or at least part of it.
A MOMENT THAT MADE MY DAY. Right now, there is a Hispanic man cleaning the hall ways. Pleasantly dressed, nice appearance but - oh, wait, he is singing Christmas Carols and he has a good voice. I mentioned this to him and he spends and extra 5 minutes in front of our door. That’s what’s all about folks.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!
So, we got home from our ‘out west – national park road trip.’ It was wonder-ful. So many sights, so many campgrounds, so many star filled nights, so many pictures.
Life was somewhat ‘normal’ for a while. We joined a gym and have worked out on a fairly regular basis. Life was good. Then on Tuesday - 11/28. Clair got an email from a friend offering us a spot on a National Geography Cruise to the Galapagos Islands. Believe it or not we thought about it for a night-looked up air fares and left bright and early the following Friday morning for Ecuador. No grass growing under our feet! If you want the long version of this, talk to us in person. If you want pictures, let us know and we’ll send you a link. It was ten days filled with snorkeling, hiking, swimming, lectures, Zodiac boat rides, indescribable nature – many, many different types of birds, iguanas, sea lions, fur seals, and so much food. It was wonder-ful. We had no internet coverage so there were no blogs written there and anyway it would be hard to find the words to do it justice.
We arrived back home on December 13th. Oh wait, it’s the Christmas season! Hit the ground running! And I did! Just about caught up by the 23rd. Dinner planned for all the kids on Christmas eve. Oh, wait, ‘we make plans and God laughs’. I remember that. So on Dec. 23 Jerry and I took a road trip to the ER. Apparently I had a very serious asthma attack - first ever. O2 levels very low, b/p very high. Did the whole 9 yards of all possible tests. So here I sit in room 2323, knowing that I won’t be home for Christmas eve. But hoping that I will be home for Christmas or at least part of it.
A MOMENT THAT MADE MY DAY. Right now, there is a Hispanic man cleaning the hall ways. Pleasantly dressed, nice appearance but - oh, wait, he is singing Christmas Carols and he has a good voice. I mentioned this to him and he spends and extra 5 minutes in front of our door. That’s what’s all about folks.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Question/Answer
October 14
To answer a question - Yes, we did make it home okay. Sorry I guess I forgot to mention that. Over 7850 miles, outstanding miles, time well spent together, a once in a life time deal.
Over 7850 miles and never a close call – until about a mile from home after crossing the Brent Spence Bridge orange barrels appeared in our lane with no warning at all. Traffic was merging down to the left two lanes. Trucks were to the left , in front and in back of us. There was nowhere to go. Jerry was driving. I hit the emergency flasher lights Jerry darted between the orange barrels. I really thought ‘this is it’. It was an interesting feeling. I must admit that I felt a sense of peace (that’s a good sign I’ll hold on to). Somehow Jerry managed to stop on the wrong side of the barrels without an incident. We caught our breath and waited for a chance to merge back on to 75. Two exits were closed, again no signage but we got home safe and sound.
A deep breath and were happy to be alive – for more reasons than one.
When we picked up our dog the next day I do believe that she too was happy that we were alive.
One last thing – My favorite bumper sticker of the trip was spotted in Crested Butte. It read:
“Non-judgment day is near”
Thanks for reading the blog!
To answer a question - Yes, we did make it home okay. Sorry I guess I forgot to mention that. Over 7850 miles, outstanding miles, time well spent together, a once in a life time deal.
Over 7850 miles and never a close call – until about a mile from home after crossing the Brent Spence Bridge orange barrels appeared in our lane with no warning at all. Traffic was merging down to the left two lanes. Trucks were to the left , in front and in back of us. There was nowhere to go. Jerry was driving. I hit the emergency flasher lights Jerry darted between the orange barrels. I really thought ‘this is it’. It was an interesting feeling. I must admit that I felt a sense of peace (that’s a good sign I’ll hold on to). Somehow Jerry managed to stop on the wrong side of the barrels without an incident. We caught our breath and waited for a chance to merge back on to 75. Two exits were closed, again no signage but we got home safe and sound.
A deep breath and were happy to be alive – for more reasons than one.
When we picked up our dog the next day I do believe that she too was happy that we were alive.
One last thing – My favorite bumper sticker of the trip was spotted in Crested Butte. It read:
“Non-judgment day is near”
Thanks for reading the blog!
Sunday, October 2, 2011
catch up time
Sometime during our stay in Crested Butte Jerry heard a mountain call his name. Apparently he tried to ignore it but that didn’t work so Friday morning, bright and early I dropped Jerry off at the base of Mt. Crested Butte Mountain. The mountain is marked with ski slopes and mountain bike trails but Jerry graces it with his footsteps. All the way to the summit, elevation 12,??? It was a good day for walking and he made it back mid afternoon. I spent the day tidying up Neal’s Place and gathering things together for the long haul home.
On Saturday we pulled out of Crested Butte just as the sun was coming over the mountains and bringing out all the golden color of the beautiful aspen trees. It was a little hard to leave but it was time to head home. We could feel it in our bones.
We spend our last night in the tent in Salina, Kansas. We pulled in to one campground just as it was starting to get dark. The office was closed but instructions were there for checking in late. We found the tent sites but the bathroom door was locked. What’s with that? Tent sites need a bathroom nearby. It is not like we have all the conveniences like the RVs have in their big bubble. And there were too many RVs around to play primitive camping. So it was back on the road. A short time later we found a KOA campground, not always our choice because they are big and somewhat expensive but it was getting dark so we decided to stay.
In case we weren’t aware of it already (which we weren’t) October had begun and with it the Halloween season. Well, the campground was full of the inflatable decoration. Our campsite was right next to a green Frankenstein. Next to him were three stoned buffalo - my guess is that they are there all year round. There were other inflatables – ghosts, monsters, something that popped out of a box, I didn’t look at that one too closely as I was on my way to dream land. There was a spider on the way to the bathroom (yes, they were unlocked) when you walked by the spider’s eyes glowed red and his head turned to follow you - creepy. There was also half of a witch sticking out of a grave. When I shined the flashlight on her she screamed and started waving her hands. That surprised me!!! Luckily there were no other tents around and I doubt it anyone in their RV bubble could hear it. Did I mention that the location of the campground was right next to the expressway? So along with the spooky decoration was the constant noise of traffic zooming by. Ah, the great outdoors!
Sunday was a day on the road. The road that finally brought us back home. What a wonder-filled trip!
On Saturday we pulled out of Crested Butte just as the sun was coming over the mountains and bringing out all the golden color of the beautiful aspen trees. It was a little hard to leave but it was time to head home. We could feel it in our bones.
We spend our last night in the tent in Salina, Kansas. We pulled in to one campground just as it was starting to get dark. The office was closed but instructions were there for checking in late. We found the tent sites but the bathroom door was locked. What’s with that? Tent sites need a bathroom nearby. It is not like we have all the conveniences like the RVs have in their big bubble. And there were too many RVs around to play primitive camping. So it was back on the road. A short time later we found a KOA campground, not always our choice because they are big and somewhat expensive but it was getting dark so we decided to stay.
In case we weren’t aware of it already (which we weren’t) October had begun and with it the Halloween season. Well, the campground was full of the inflatable decoration. Our campsite was right next to a green Frankenstein. Next to him were three stoned buffalo - my guess is that they are there all year round. There were other inflatables – ghosts, monsters, something that popped out of a box, I didn’t look at that one too closely as I was on my way to dream land. There was a spider on the way to the bathroom (yes, they were unlocked) when you walked by the spider’s eyes glowed red and his head turned to follow you - creepy. There was also half of a witch sticking out of a grave. When I shined the flashlight on her she screamed and started waving her hands. That surprised me!!! Luckily there were no other tents around and I doubt it anyone in their RV bubble could hear it. Did I mention that the location of the campground was right next to the expressway? So along with the spooky decoration was the constant noise of traffic zooming by. Ah, the great outdoors!
Sunday was a day on the road. The road that finally brought us back home. What a wonder-filled trip!
Friday, September 30, 2011
So here we sit
in Crested Butte, CO. Crested Butte - elevation 8.885. Crested Butte – the wildflower capital of Colorado. (There are still wildflowers blooming as the trees are turning.) Population – it depends on the season. Things are fairly quiet here at the moment. Crested Butte - where everyone owns at least one bike. Crested Butte – where no one locks their bikes up. In Crested Butte you wake up to a mountain outside your window every morning. Crested Butte – filled with ‘beautiful people’ most everyone below the age of 30, all in tip top physical shape. One shop keeper our age described the town as a place where men are men, and the women, they’re men also. Apparent this area has produced more that its share of world famous athletics.
We took the free shuttle up to Mt. Crested Butte, just 2 miles up the mountain from Crested Butte, and there was no one there. It is a town of many lodges, motels, inns, homes built everywhere. It is definitely an up-scale community. It is where the chair lifts begins, where the ski runs are cut in to the mountain side, where in a few weeks, after the first snow fall, there will be a lot of activity of people enjoying the ‘good’ life. It’s a community where you will not find a soup kitchen or a cold shelter.
For us today was a laid back day. Jerry went for a run today – that is a little easier to do when you don’t have to break up camp. Computer work at the library, laundry. The first day we did not spend any time in the car since August 29. That was a treat.
Talk of heading home and of things we want to do before we do. We’re just mellowing out at Neal’s Place. Thank you Neal. I really never thought we would here doing what we are doing. Adding to the uniqueness of the trip.
+++
On Thursday we took in another National Park, Black Canyon of Gunnison about a 2 hours drive from Crested Butte. It was beautiful. Jerry of course appreciates Canyons and Mountains on a different level than I do. I like to look. He likes to understand. Geology has become the topic of the day on this trip. Each and every day! That’s okay. I think I might be learning a few things by now.
On the way back we stopped and picked up a few groceries, enough to get us home. Somehow Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream also found its way in to our bag. After we unloaded the groceries as the sun was beginning to set, we headed out in search of Oh Be Joyful Creek and Campground. What a name! We had to try and find it. And we did - off a dirt county road at the base of a mountain, through an open range area, (which means that there were cows on the road to maneuver around), Aspen trees the color of shinning gold amid the deep green of the evergreens, wildflowers still in bloom. It was once again breathtaking. The campground was nice and not at all crowded. If it wasn’t for the chilly/down right cold nights we might be tempted to stay there. However having slept the last few nights in a nice warm real bed we will probably forgo the camping experience while we can. It was a special place to discover. We made it out before sunset and headed up to Mt. Crested Butte. We found the perfect spot to watch the sun set. Again, breathtaking and inspiring. The colors were unlike anything I’ve seen before. The light dancing on the mountains to the music of the breeze. ..
What a gift this trip has been. Thanks to all who had a hand in helping this happen.
We took the free shuttle up to Mt. Crested Butte, just 2 miles up the mountain from Crested Butte, and there was no one there. It is a town of many lodges, motels, inns, homes built everywhere. It is definitely an up-scale community. It is where the chair lifts begins, where the ski runs are cut in to the mountain side, where in a few weeks, after the first snow fall, there will be a lot of activity of people enjoying the ‘good’ life. It’s a community where you will not find a soup kitchen or a cold shelter.
For us today was a laid back day. Jerry went for a run today – that is a little easier to do when you don’t have to break up camp. Computer work at the library, laundry. The first day we did not spend any time in the car since August 29. That was a treat.
Talk of heading home and of things we want to do before we do. We’re just mellowing out at Neal’s Place. Thank you Neal. I really never thought we would here doing what we are doing. Adding to the uniqueness of the trip.
+++
On Thursday we took in another National Park, Black Canyon of Gunnison about a 2 hours drive from Crested Butte. It was beautiful. Jerry of course appreciates Canyons and Mountains on a different level than I do. I like to look. He likes to understand. Geology has become the topic of the day on this trip. Each and every day! That’s okay. I think I might be learning a few things by now.
On the way back we stopped and picked up a few groceries, enough to get us home. Somehow Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream also found its way in to our bag. After we unloaded the groceries as the sun was beginning to set, we headed out in search of Oh Be Joyful Creek and Campground. What a name! We had to try and find it. And we did - off a dirt county road at the base of a mountain, through an open range area, (which means that there were cows on the road to maneuver around), Aspen trees the color of shinning gold amid the deep green of the evergreens, wildflowers still in bloom. It was once again breathtaking. The campground was nice and not at all crowded. If it wasn’t for the chilly/down right cold nights we might be tempted to stay there. However having slept the last few nights in a nice warm real bed we will probably forgo the camping experience while we can. It was a special place to discover. We made it out before sunset and headed up to Mt. Crested Butte. We found the perfect spot to watch the sun set. Again, breathtaking and inspiring. The colors were unlike anything I’ve seen before. The light dancing on the mountains to the music of the breeze. ..
What a gift this trip has been. Thanks to all who had a hand in helping this happen.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Awe and Wonder Yet Again
Sunday we arrived at Arches National Park early afternoon. We come to find out that the campground that reservations and fills up a year ahead of time. So there was no room for us in the inn. However there are some BLM campsites next to the Park along the Colorado River. There are a little more rustic with vault toilets. But it served us just fine. If anyone would have ever told me that I would ever spend over a month sleeping in a tent much less now on a river bank I never would have believed them.
When we drove back to the park Sunday afternoon it was really crowded. There were bus loads of people everywhere. We decided instead to drive up the canyon next to the park. It was breathtaking. The rock walls, the Colorado River, the towers, the blue skies so unique, so inspiring.
Later in the day we headed back to the park. The crowds had thinned a little. So we drove the arches road. We stopped for the views and we walked to some of the amazing arches. We got back to the campsite just as it was getting dark.
Monday morning we broke camp early. Then headed out for a 4 hour rafting trip on the Colorado. It was a gentle trip with only class 2 rapids. Very enjoyable. There was only one other couple on the trip with a guide just a little younger than us. After the trip we went in search of showers. We ended up at the Community Aquatic Center - $3. Showers – we’ll take it!
On the road again to Grand Junction to visit cousin Ken and his wife Kate and their sons, Nick & Ross. Haven’t seen them for a long time and a one on one visit was even longer. They live Near Colorado Monument. Actually the Monument is in their back yard. We had a great visit. Getting caught up on family, kids, reflecting on memories of so long ago, recalling all the good times and the good people who made us who we are. Ken and Kate made us feel so welcome and for the first time in a long time we slept in a real bed. We also had some wonderful meals and ended the even by sitting on their deck watching the heavens and again enjoying the Milky Way.
Tuesday morning they drove us through The Colorado Monument. More great views and great company. We left Ken and Kate early afternoon and began the drive to Crested Butte CO.
Thanks to Neal, a friend who’s house we are staying to tonight. We headed out to get something to eat. First impression – we are the oldest people in Crested Butte at the moment. Second impression – after we ate we walked back in our shorts and t-shirts. Most everyone else had on winter coats and scarves. Mental note – it gets cold when the sun goes down.
When we drove back to the park Sunday afternoon it was really crowded. There were bus loads of people everywhere. We decided instead to drive up the canyon next to the park. It was breathtaking. The rock walls, the Colorado River, the towers, the blue skies so unique, so inspiring.
Later in the day we headed back to the park. The crowds had thinned a little. So we drove the arches road. We stopped for the views and we walked to some of the amazing arches. We got back to the campsite just as it was getting dark.
Monday morning we broke camp early. Then headed out for a 4 hour rafting trip on the Colorado. It was a gentle trip with only class 2 rapids. Very enjoyable. There was only one other couple on the trip with a guide just a little younger than us. After the trip we went in search of showers. We ended up at the Community Aquatic Center - $3. Showers – we’ll take it!
On the road again to Grand Junction to visit cousin Ken and his wife Kate and their sons, Nick & Ross. Haven’t seen them for a long time and a one on one visit was even longer. They live Near Colorado Monument. Actually the Monument is in their back yard. We had a great visit. Getting caught up on family, kids, reflecting on memories of so long ago, recalling all the good times and the good people who made us who we are. Ken and Kate made us feel so welcome and for the first time in a long time we slept in a real bed. We also had some wonderful meals and ended the even by sitting on their deck watching the heavens and again enjoying the Milky Way.
Tuesday morning they drove us through The Colorado Monument. More great views and great company. We left Ken and Kate early afternoon and began the drive to Crested Butte CO.
Thanks to Neal, a friend who’s house we are staying to tonight. We headed out to get something to eat. First impression – we are the oldest people in Crested Butte at the moment. Second impression – after we ate we walked back in our shorts and t-shirts. Most everyone else had on winter coats and scarves. Mental note – it gets cold when the sun goes down.
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