OK Floy. This is my second try. We never were sentimental. I did love you though. And considering how you made me a part of your life, you loved me.
I called to check on you. I got your grandson, he said. Oh, Floy, for a woman who didn't marry till her 50s, you did good. You love well. They love back.
I know that. I never expected to keep in touch, but you did. And we did. You were my high school English and journalism teacher. Thanks to you, we became lifelong friends.
Lifelong. Well,hell.
You told me the cancer was back and this time you weren't going to do anything to stop it. You have volunteereed and given for years. You are--what? late 80s? I don't need to know. But I am a lot younger.
You are deaf as a post, almost. I've left a few messages. Hmph. for a dying woman, you certainly gadded about a lot. And I smile at that.
You loved the view of the valley from the foothills. You did so many things besides being my friend. You...the obit will have all of that.It will have your accomplishments. They were many.
But it won't tell people who you loved. And you did love me. Besides Fred, your late husband, and a few many others.You loved a flawed pupil who went on to work for a newspaper, then brought my sons back for your late husband to talk to about stamps and for you to talk to and assess.
You were my teacher. Later my mentor. Later still, my friend.
You gave such a great gift, your friendship.
We became friends. We talked for 50 years. And now you are dying, my old teacher, mentor and friend. I'm glad I know. I hurt, and that is right also.
I'm glad you have loved ones there.
Floydean Wilburn Gage, I love you.
Fly, fly soon with the angels.
I can hear that cranky voice: "I'll go when I want to,Charlotte."
Yes, you will. Ever as my teacher and mentor, I always knew you had a mind of your own. The lovely, wonderful part is, you always knew I did, too.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Less water, more people, more decisions
Rain barrels and personal cisterns are not a big priority in Texas. They should be. But that means change, and you know? We humans resist that a lot.
An article in the paper in the last couple of days reports the amount of water per capita in Texas is very near the 1950s drought amounts despite the recent rains. Texans who don't agree with water restrictions are drilling wells, which reduces the aquifers. The water beneath their ground is theirs, even as it may flow if not diverted to what is yours. In the meantime, population is increasing, and our man-made lakes are about 3/4 full.
Part of it is more population. People! Stay home! Texas got through the recession fairly well, but we aren't building many more reservoirs, we aren't doing much of anything. Sure. We have jobs. And we have tons of college graduates serving fast food if they can get the job. Corporate incentives, however, are bringing in more people. It's good for politics. I'm not sure it is at all good for the individual, or even business.
Last Thursday we had an historic event--a soaking rain on June 6 with high temperature of 68.
We will remember that a month from now, or even today. At 7 am, the temperature was 77. Rain in June is encouraging, however.
A new crop of grasshoppers has arrived, small yet. I understand cayenne in water sprayed on my plants will deter them, so I will try it. Like everyone else, I'm trying organic again.
I only planted peppers, tomatoes and squash, and the tomatoes are ripening. I've gotten some Anaheim peppers already, and one squash. More are growing.
Floswers are just as important. They are doing well. I am using 20% vinegar on weeds and it seems to be working. Lowes carries it here.
I'm also using cider vinegar in warm water to clean and restore my hardwood floors. It seems to work. You know, when I bought the house, I almost had the hardwood refinished. I have mixed feelings.
I would love to have the seamless, glowing, dog and human repellent floors. I do like, however, my scarred, people-have-lived-here floors. I guess it goes with likes. And I will never be on Home and Gardens network.
Which is a long way from my initial paragraph. Yep, I got my DIL rain barrels and will get one or two for myself. Meantime, I have soaker hoses.
I have a decision to make about the encroaching and lovely St. Augustine grass in the backyard. Am I willing to water it? Can I afford it?
I have to decide.
An article in the paper in the last couple of days reports the amount of water per capita in Texas is very near the 1950s drought amounts despite the recent rains. Texans who don't agree with water restrictions are drilling wells, which reduces the aquifers. The water beneath their ground is theirs, even as it may flow if not diverted to what is yours. In the meantime, population is increasing, and our man-made lakes are about 3/4 full.
Part of it is more population. People! Stay home! Texas got through the recession fairly well, but we aren't building many more reservoirs, we aren't doing much of anything. Sure. We have jobs. And we have tons of college graduates serving fast food if they can get the job. Corporate incentives, however, are bringing in more people. It's good for politics. I'm not sure it is at all good for the individual, or even business.
Last Thursday we had an historic event--a soaking rain on June 6 with high temperature of 68.
We will remember that a month from now, or even today. At 7 am, the temperature was 77. Rain in June is encouraging, however.
A new crop of grasshoppers has arrived, small yet. I understand cayenne in water sprayed on my plants will deter them, so I will try it. Like everyone else, I'm trying organic again.
I only planted peppers, tomatoes and squash, and the tomatoes are ripening. I've gotten some Anaheim peppers already, and one squash. More are growing.
Floswers are just as important. They are doing well. I am using 20% vinegar on weeds and it seems to be working. Lowes carries it here.
I'm also using cider vinegar in warm water to clean and restore my hardwood floors. It seems to work. You know, when I bought the house, I almost had the hardwood refinished. I have mixed feelings.
I would love to have the seamless, glowing, dog and human repellent floors. I do like, however, my scarred, people-have-lived-here floors. I guess it goes with likes. And I will never be on Home and Gardens network.
Which is a long way from my initial paragraph. Yep, I got my DIL rain barrels and will get one or two for myself. Meantime, I have soaker hoses.
I have a decision to make about the encroaching and lovely St. Augustine grass in the backyard. Am I willing to water it? Can I afford it?
I have to decide.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Look at Yourself and Enjoy the Greatness
I remember political cartoons in the 1950s of Russian men, and especially women. They were depicted as large, lumbering human beings, with muscles. And not so smart.
I look around me and see a lot of people I know to be smart lumbering. and they don't have a lot of muscle. I want to yell at them, particularly since I have knee replacements. Not recently, but years before, I lumbered. It led to the need for knee replacements.
And doctors are pleased with me. You know why? because a lot of people who get knee replacements don't get more active. They just sit down and expect the knees to work better when they stand up to get more snacks. I'm trying to do everything I can to get my earlier life back, and am succeeding to a great degree.
You know, a guy or gal who goes into orthopedics, takes you into surgery, bludgeons your knee, installs a metallic substitute, and then tries to help you get therapy,well, they aren't doing it for the pay check.
They do the work and enjoy the pay. But the payoff is when folks like me ride a bicycle again, start a garden, walk the dogs, and maybe start line-dancing. If we do creative work, no matter what, we want the smiles.
I don't know what my doctor will think in December, but I'm loving my life, so humble about what medicine can do, limited on what I can do, know it's more if I am consistent.
Life is so much more than a year ago. Mine is simple. New knees and exercse. Oh, I quit smoking. And I exercise. Doesn't make me bullet-proof by any means, but I'm happier than I've been in years. That's just for today.Tomorrow? will take care of itself if I do. I may never ever lift 50 pounds again. But I can lift 25 with repetition. So I'll do that.And as much more as I can.
I don't care about how many more years I live, but I do care how many I live with activity. Not longevity--activity.
What are you doing to make your life more?
I look around me and see a lot of people I know to be smart lumbering. and they don't have a lot of muscle. I want to yell at them, particularly since I have knee replacements. Not recently, but years before, I lumbered. It led to the need for knee replacements.
And doctors are pleased with me. You know why? because a lot of people who get knee replacements don't get more active. They just sit down and expect the knees to work better when they stand up to get more snacks. I'm trying to do everything I can to get my earlier life back, and am succeeding to a great degree.
You know, a guy or gal who goes into orthopedics, takes you into surgery, bludgeons your knee, installs a metallic substitute, and then tries to help you get therapy,well, they aren't doing it for the pay check.
They do the work and enjoy the pay. But the payoff is when folks like me ride a bicycle again, start a garden, walk the dogs, and maybe start line-dancing. If we do creative work, no matter what, we want the smiles.
I don't know what my doctor will think in December, but I'm loving my life, so humble about what medicine can do, limited on what I can do, know it's more if I am consistent.
Life is so much more than a year ago. Mine is simple. New knees and exercse. Oh, I quit smoking. And I exercise. Doesn't make me bullet-proof by any means, but I'm happier than I've been in years. That's just for today.Tomorrow? will take care of itself if I do. I may never ever lift 50 pounds again. But I can lift 25 with repetition. So I'll do that.And as much more as I can.
I don't care about how many more years I live, but I do care how many I live with activity. Not longevity--activity.
What are you doing to make your life more?
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Abysmal dog training while living with my brats
Living with two dogs that shed astronomically in the Southwest is beginning to change my habits. I thought the snowfall drifts on the hardwood were all Gracie till I took Brody to the vet to get stiletto, killer nails trimmed just two months after they last were cut. Mopping and sweeping intervals have picked up.
(Brody, my city dog, isn't too fond of grass and icky dirt. He runs around only a little. I have to shove him off the deck to pee. Gracie lures him into games of chase every so often. Gracie mucks about in the yard and her nails grow more slowly.)
When both sprawl, you really see Brody's half-Corgi factor: both lie on their bellies, legs behind, white feet and ankles making dashes at their ends. Schematic: head:o body:-- feet: |, hyphenated by two feet. So they both lie o--|
And sometime soon, I will learn how to insert photos to illustrate.
Brody remains highly unsocialized with other dogs. The bigger they are, the more scared he is and the more he growls and lunges. I have a good collar on him now to catch him at it. Right now, I doubt if I can ever take him to a dog park. Fortunately, he and Gracie hit it off except for a few jealous skirmishes immediately. They are both "of the home." Both understand that.
On the other hand, with new people he lunges, they both do, for attention. They are horrible for my friends, and it is my fault. I have at least begun training again with Gracie and for the first time with Brody. I do not know what to do except to make both absolutely obedient to sit and stay. So I'm beefing up on that.
I have stopped responding to Gracie when she does her demand yell--a loud, almost window-shaking bark. That's helping slowly.
Gracie loves to work. Brody also likes to keep busy. Lessons help them stay content. They also need about twice the personal attention: talking to, walks, petting, of any other dog I've ever had. Corgis are smart. You don't let them dwindle away to boredom. Other dogs will sleep. Gracie and Brody will, too. Awhile. They also find something else to do. Given that Gracie is one and Brody 2, a great deal of what they find to do is chewing.
Gracie digs holes that look like a posthole-digging madman has run about the yard. If only I could train her to dig where I wish! Oh, Gracie, the beautiful back yard we would have!
I still catch Gracie jumping in my vegetable garden now and then. When I do, I yell. She pauses a second before jumping out. Huh. More alpha work.
And last night, I found a half-eaten large tomato. I hadn't seen it--I have a bunch of ripening ones on my four plants.
Oh, Gracie. Now you've torn it. Shoes, books, paper, clothes, electronics, you have chewed them all. But Gracie, this is tomatoes.
Gracie, you're in real trouble now.
(Brody, my city dog, isn't too fond of grass and icky dirt. He runs around only a little. I have to shove him off the deck to pee. Gracie lures him into games of chase every so often. Gracie mucks about in the yard and her nails grow more slowly.)
When both sprawl, you really see Brody's half-Corgi factor: both lie on their bellies, legs behind, white feet and ankles making dashes at their ends. Schematic: head:o body:-- feet: |, hyphenated by two feet. So they both lie o--|
And sometime soon, I will learn how to insert photos to illustrate.
Brody remains highly unsocialized with other dogs. The bigger they are, the more scared he is and the more he growls and lunges. I have a good collar on him now to catch him at it. Right now, I doubt if I can ever take him to a dog park. Fortunately, he and Gracie hit it off except for a few jealous skirmishes immediately. They are both "of the home." Both understand that.
On the other hand, with new people he lunges, they both do, for attention. They are horrible for my friends, and it is my fault. I have at least begun training again with Gracie and for the first time with Brody. I do not know what to do except to make both absolutely obedient to sit and stay. So I'm beefing up on that.
I have stopped responding to Gracie when she does her demand yell--a loud, almost window-shaking bark. That's helping slowly.
Gracie loves to work. Brody also likes to keep busy. Lessons help them stay content. They also need about twice the personal attention: talking to, walks, petting, of any other dog I've ever had. Corgis are smart. You don't let them dwindle away to boredom. Other dogs will sleep. Gracie and Brody will, too. Awhile. They also find something else to do. Given that Gracie is one and Brody 2, a great deal of what they find to do is chewing.
Gracie digs holes that look like a posthole-digging madman has run about the yard. If only I could train her to dig where I wish! Oh, Gracie, the beautiful back yard we would have!
I still catch Gracie jumping in my vegetable garden now and then. When I do, I yell. She pauses a second before jumping out. Huh. More alpha work.
And last night, I found a half-eaten large tomato. I hadn't seen it--I have a bunch of ripening ones on my four plants.
Oh, Gracie. Now you've torn it. Shoes, books, paper, clothes, electronics, you have chewed them all. But Gracie, this is tomatoes.
Gracie, you're in real trouble now.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Rain, Dogs, and a Comfortable Bed
We had rain last night.
It has been predicted, but for most of May, none came. I quit paying attention to the forcasts.
Last night, it came. The thunder only grumbled. The wind blew knife sharp.
At my west door, the dogs and I stood, sniffing, the perfume that long un-rained earth gives up. It smelled like dry grass, rich soil, and somehow, live oaks. Plants I , and probably they, didn't know. We are surrounded by hackberries and pecans, but live oaks have this piquant scent.
The rain blew under my 12-foot metal awning, spraying water to the back door.
Stepping out the front door on the east, spray blew in, but mostly, we were dry.
I stepped in,climbed into bed, finished my wine, found a stopping place in my book.
Because the unexpected rain was to be celebrated, and I was already relaxed. I could hear the drumming on the roof., the muted brumbling of the thunder, every now and then catch the flash of lightning, or sheet lightning.
I turned out the light, pulled the sheet over my shoulders, and smiled.
The dogs settled. We all relaxed and enjoyed a cosy, comfortable place out of the rain, but glad for the rain. They were comfort. My bed was too. So safe, so soft, so comfortable.
The world looked new again this morning.
It has been predicted, but for most of May, none came. I quit paying attention to the forcasts.
Last night, it came. The thunder only grumbled. The wind blew knife sharp.
At my west door, the dogs and I stood, sniffing, the perfume that long un-rained earth gives up. It smelled like dry grass, rich soil, and somehow, live oaks. Plants I , and probably they, didn't know. We are surrounded by hackberries and pecans, but live oaks have this piquant scent.
The rain blew under my 12-foot metal awning, spraying water to the back door.
Stepping out the front door on the east, spray blew in, but mostly, we were dry.
I stepped in,climbed into bed, finished my wine, found a stopping place in my book.
Because the unexpected rain was to be celebrated, and I was already relaxed. I could hear the drumming on the roof., the muted brumbling of the thunder, every now and then catch the flash of lightning, or sheet lightning.
I turned out the light, pulled the sheet over my shoulders, and smiled.
The dogs settled. We all relaxed and enjoyed a cosy, comfortable place out of the rain, but glad for the rain. They were comfort. My bed was too. So safe, so soft, so comfortable.
The world looked new again this morning.
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Itching and getting outside
Lord, I itch.
The legs, I think, maybe even the belly, are chiggers.
The back is mosquitos. Probably. Maybe all chiggers. Maybe all mosquitoes, except I have more bites on the ankles.
I know chiggers are indiginous to the South of the US. I don't know if they exist elsewhere and will google later. (pause. had to scratch.) Damn. just discovered the welt on my back. Right there in the middle, upper back.
My home state, the Land of Enchantment, New Mexico, has neither fire ants nor chiggers. This ranks it very high in my books.
Huh. I have new knees. That means more mobility. On grass. In Texas. in warm weather. I had my aerosol can of Off! with me. Didn't think to use it. (pause: I itch. had to scratch again.) Sigh.
I had hoped, with aging, my delectability to insects might diminish. Some 35 years ago, my son, my husband and I, set out for an impromptu picnic in a nearby state park. I spread a tablecloth over the burgeoning grass and set out the food. All three of us sat. We ate. We laughed and enjoyed.
The next day, my son and I itched. Chiggers, tiny,speck-sized bugs had dug into skin and raised itchy places. My 5-year-old had to go to the doctor. I used some of the ointment prescribed for him then.To his hundred bites, I had at least 40. His father had none. Snarl. The man was usually impervious to mosquitos, too.
With more activity, I am on turf more often and outside more. After this, I will use the stinky insecticide. So much of my body has changed, I assumed my delectibility to insects would too.
Sigh. Not to be.
My grandchildren run around in shorts and barefoot, with nary a chomp. Their parents are outside all the time with no chomps I know of. Maybe this is an initiation. After so many hours, no bites.
I need sulphur. I used to pat my ankles with it regularly to keep off the chiggers while I gardened. Worked great and washed off in the shower. Duh. I'm gardening again. Time to go back to old methods.
But if hair grows on my chin and not my shins, and I need yearly checks for skin cancer, why is the one consistent factor that I still am susceptible to chiggers and mosquitoes?
Ah, at least I am not embarrassed much at my age by pink welts on legs, tummy, back and nether regions. If I were younger, probably so. In a few days, this will pass. And I will remember to use insect repellent when I go outside. Because I itch.
I really do. Scratching doesn't help.
Damn chiggers.
I'll never say I'm itching to do something again.
The legs, I think, maybe even the belly, are chiggers.
The back is mosquitos. Probably. Maybe all chiggers. Maybe all mosquitoes, except I have more bites on the ankles.
I know chiggers are indiginous to the South of the US. I don't know if they exist elsewhere and will google later. (pause. had to scratch.) Damn. just discovered the welt on my back. Right there in the middle, upper back.
My home state, the Land of Enchantment, New Mexico, has neither fire ants nor chiggers. This ranks it very high in my books.
Huh. I have new knees. That means more mobility. On grass. In Texas. in warm weather. I had my aerosol can of Off! with me. Didn't think to use it. (pause: I itch. had to scratch again.) Sigh.
I had hoped, with aging, my delectability to insects might diminish. Some 35 years ago, my son, my husband and I, set out for an impromptu picnic in a nearby state park. I spread a tablecloth over the burgeoning grass and set out the food. All three of us sat. We ate. We laughed and enjoyed.
The next day, my son and I itched. Chiggers, tiny,speck-sized bugs had dug into skin and raised itchy places. My 5-year-old had to go to the doctor. I used some of the ointment prescribed for him then.To his hundred bites, I had at least 40. His father had none. Snarl. The man was usually impervious to mosquitos, too.
With more activity, I am on turf more often and outside more. After this, I will use the stinky insecticide. So much of my body has changed, I assumed my delectibility to insects would too.
Sigh. Not to be.
My grandchildren run around in shorts and barefoot, with nary a chomp. Their parents are outside all the time with no chomps I know of. Maybe this is an initiation. After so many hours, no bites.
I need sulphur. I used to pat my ankles with it regularly to keep off the chiggers while I gardened. Worked great and washed off in the shower. Duh. I'm gardening again. Time to go back to old methods.
But if hair grows on my chin and not my shins, and I need yearly checks for skin cancer, why is the one consistent factor that I still am susceptible to chiggers and mosquitoes?
Ah, at least I am not embarrassed much at my age by pink welts on legs, tummy, back and nether regions. If I were younger, probably so. In a few days, this will pass. And I will remember to use insect repellent when I go outside. Because I itch.
I really do. Scratching doesn't help.
Damn chiggers.
I'll never say I'm itching to do something again.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
