Mom Gets X-Rays, Keady, Sad News

When I woke up on Tuesday, Oct. 3^rd my mind was buzzing with things. I can think of 5 things that were going through my head and I don’t want to dwell on any one of them. I believe it is those things that causes my shingles to stir. So, at 7 I got up and satisfied some of the thoughts but searching online for the answers I was looking for.

Our sleepy head

 It was a nice morning at 12C outside but only 15C inside and it felt cool. I turned the Blue Flame heater on for a quick burst of warmth before running out up the hill to snap my sunset photo. Bill wasn’t long getting up after me but this little lazy bum stayed right where he was after going out for a piddle. I love how he tucks himself down in the covers. It wasn’t until I was having my shower that Bill disturbed him to make the bed.

I heard through the Messenger grapevine that my oldest relation, Uncle Harold, passed away last night. Yesterday he was enduring stomach pains and my cousin, Ellen, took him to emerge. He had returned home to his room in Watford so my hopes were that he was going to be okay. Uncle Harold has gone downhill over the last year, always amazing us with his sharp mind, outstanding memory and good health for most of his 94 years.

At 10 Bill and I drove to Durham to pick Mom up. She has been complaining of lower back pain for a couple of months now, off and on, so Rockwood got her set up for an X-ray today. I saw Aunt Mary coming out of her room when I was picking up paperwork at the desk so said hello and re-introduced her to Bill. She reached out and shook his hand in recognition.

R.I.P. Uncle Harold

We arrived in Mom’s room to find her in full Legion attire, right down to the tie, matching skirt and jacket with her medals. I love how proud she looked and yet it was all for naught as we thought she would have to undress at the hospital. When I was trying to decide what to do, my sister, Cathy, arrived for a visit, not knowing about the appointment.

dressed to the nines and very proud

Among the three of us, we decided these clothes would be a nuisance to her when we weren’t there to help her change. Bill left the room and Cathy and I helped her slip into something much easier to switch in and out of. We arrived at Durham Hospital and Cathy followed us there. I was grateful to have an extra pair of hands since Bill wasn’t planning on coming inside with me. Cathy was able to take Mom to the washroom while I got her registered, since our time was limited.

Keady Market

  As much as Mom is quite mobile, she moves slowly and it isn’t fair to rush her. There isn’t a person that she comes near who she doesn’t feel she needs to chat with. Staff and other residents at Rockwood, the EMT’s at Emergency and on our way out, the Durham policemen at the door. She is a social butterfly and most often a true Hallmark.

A whole lot more room to park

Not much in the way of fall colours today but
I had to comment on Canada's
great roads

 She was immediately taken in for her Imaging (awesome! you’d never get this treatment in a big city!) and the nurse, Becky had her out within 10 minutes tops. I know it was a short visit for Cathy, after driving so far, but she was pleased to see Mom for however long. Bill and I dropped Mom back at R.T. and when I left I thought it was special to see a young staff member singing “You Are My Sunshine” to Aunt Mary. Mary said bye bye to me and we were on our way at 11:35.

Chapman's at Markdale

We wanted to visit Keady again in the hopes to find the Can Bedding booth again. In August when we went with George, Suzie, Gerry and Melinda we bought some sheets and two bamboo pillows. Bill loves his but mine has not met the standard. It should react like a memory foam pillow and mine fails to do that. So, even though the vendor did not offer to exchange it but he did give me a break on a new one. This time he has vowed to exchange it if I don’t like it.

We drove home from there via a different route and thought we’d tour through Markdale, since we’d never been, and back home through Flesherton and Priceville. It was a nice drive but I was starving and we were both tired. We arrived at The Ridge around 2 ish and I made myself a chicken, lettuce, celery and tomato salad. That hit the spot and soon after we crashed. No point in even trying to open a book at that stage.

I love this weather but these house flies are making me bonkers. I sit for a while and the buzzing has ME flitting around insanely swatting here and there. For sure when the cooler temps arrive, these windows need a good cleaning AGAIN. Our nap did the trick although it kind of took the ‘will’ to do much for the rest of the day. I found my spot in the sun with my book and was quite content. This book is Split Second by David Baldacci.

We all walked down the lane before dinner

For supper we had a bacon cheeseburger with all the fixings each and a salad on the side. These burgers from West Grey Butchers are sooo good. After supper we cleaned up dishes before having a piece of carrot cake. I know I know! But I don’t want to throw it out. A small piece it is.

Today, we noticed Bessie's footprints from yesterday

Before the sun disappeared completely, I took another walk down the lane way. The air is cooling down so it was a fast walk in my shorts and tank top. If you remember seeing a picture of the setting sun beside the church, you’ll appreciate this one. Interesting how in a couple of weeks the sun has moved a certain degree to the south. Guess it is soon time for us to follow it.

I’ve enjoyed this day as I usually do after spending time with Mom and my sweetie. I hope you’ve taken advantage of this summer-in-fall day too.

Thank you for popping around today. I’d love to hear from you!

Productive Day, Relaxing Too, Garbage and Laundry Day - Bessie

Bill and I were up and at ‘em on Monday, Oct. 2^nd shortly after 7 again. This seems to be the norm for us and that works well. We had our first morning java and he loaded the car after I sorted the 3 loads of clothes. When I left around 8 Bill hopped on the riding mower once more and cut the back field. When I returned around 9:45 he was just finishing up.

Garbage Day and only one more to go before we leave

We both had another drink and sat for some breakfast. Bill likes his cold cereal with dried craisins and I prefer my oatmeal so we ate before we got back at it. I hung the clothes knowing that they would be dry in no time with that sun and breeze. I had another bit of staining to do, it seems Bill builds things and I stain them but that works for us. While I did that he did some of the weed trimming around the area.

I moved on to cutting the grass here in our sitting area and put the blade on the lowest setting. Since the grass won’t burn now if it is shorter and isn’t growing as fast, hopefully I won’t have to cut it more than once, if that. We finished up about the same time and sat on the ‘patio’ to relax. I knew the Sanitation Engineers had been so I walked down to collect the bins and check for mail at the same time. I’m so happy to be getting a few more days of this glorious weather.

Turning onto Baptist Church Road - a nice drive

Bill and Clemson moved inside and we treated ourselves to a piece of carrot cake before Bill called our restaurant in London to make reservations for the family dinner. With fingers crossed, we were pleased that the date worked for the venue as well and they could accommodate 22 of us. Knowing that, I sent an email to all of the kids again firming up the details. I took my book outside and the boys had a snooze in the recliner. 

Nice sky today and it only got better

The laundry doesn't take long to dry today

 Sitting there reading, my Fitbit buzzed and ‘said’ that I should take 193 steps so I did. I grabbed Bill’s little camera and down the laneway I went. When I got to the end I looked to the northeast and noticed a cow up the road on the wrong side of the fence. Hmm, obviously there is a hole in the fence somewhere. I turned around and came back to the Suite and exchanged cameras. I wanted to go up on our hill and see if I could get a better look with my zoom.

today I planted 3 Jack in the Pulpits
and wanted to be sure to remember exactly where

I also wanted to mark where my 3 poppies were planted

Up by my clothes line I saw that she was walking down the road towards our place. When she meandered to our driveway’s end, Bill and I decided we should alert the farmer. By the time we got to the end of the driveway with the truck, ‘Bessie’ was under our apple tree. I almost didn’t see her. Mrs. Farmer and her Mom were driving towards us, already alerted of their runaway but we all spooked her and she took off to the ditch towards Baptist Church Road.

The corral is looking good all cut and trimmed

We stepped back out of sight and they drove past her in an effort to get her turned around towards the now open gate into the field. Poor thing was probably quite scared by now. It worked, she came back and casually walked into familiar territory. Bill and Mrs. Farmer closed and locked the gate. 

Can you see what I see?

Our pond in the forefront, Bessie on the road, her family on the other side of the fence

At our driveway she realizes where she should be

Mrs. Farmer's mom tells her where to go
Notice the finger?

Bessie didn't like that idea
See how close to the corner she is?
Mrs. Farmer drives further and turns around

they got her back and she walked into the gate on her own

Here, she is mooing "I'm home!"

We chatted briefly and said goodbye before driving down the road to see if we could find the hole or gap in the fence. I’m sure Mr. Farmer will be doing the same thing before too long. We watched for a while but Bessie seemed confused why she was alone in one field and her family were on the other. She soon laid down to rest.

She was tired out from her long walk

When we came back I went up the hill and started folding clothes off the line. Bill put a few things away and helped me bring them in. Everything dried so nicely, smelling fresh.  Inside we each put our own things away and we relaxed again. Seems like we do that a lot but that is why this life is so good. We work, we rest, we putter, we relax, at exactly our own pace.

Tonight's supper (mine) Yummy

and I emptied another bottle of wine
thanks Gayle and John for leaving it behind, it was very good!

 After reading outside for a while longer, I closed up the bunky and put the outside chairs away. Bill cut up potatoes for homemade fries and I got out the fryer to heat the oil. We still had a left-over pork chop and enough roast beef for one and gravy. It will be another hot meal out of the fridge and it helps clean things up at the same time. We are at the stage where it is important to know what is in the freezer and be careful how much we buy.

I'm amazed at my potted flower choice this year
If I keep dead heading the daisies, they keep smiling for me

Dinner was great and dishes soon out of the way. Time again to relax. I sat at my laptop and Bill put NCIS on. They are reruns but we love it when nothing else is on. At 8 we watched The Voice and recorded The Good Doctor at 10 and The Brave at 11. I can’t keep up with all the times and channels but Bill has a head for this kind of thing. 

Beautiful

It is nice to have some shows recorded for those nights when nothing good is on.

It has been a wonderful summer-like day in the neighbourhood and we have NO complaints about this 23C day. I hope you can say the same about yours.

And the finger points to the moon

Another conference at the north pond

Good night all

Thanks for reading today. I love to read your comments.