Random Acts of "Kindness"

Posts tagged ‘TIMING’

WISDOM

A friend of mine keeps remarking that I lead on interesting life. AND I DO. Thankfully when my father passed in 1995, he sent me a sign that he was alright. AND SO, HE IS! After his passing I went to school to learn how to recognize HELP from the other side. Both stories are in print. TO PAP WITH LOVE, is the story of my life with a father whose memory deteriorated because of Alzheimer’s. JOURNEY WITH ME is the story I wrote of my classes. Both books are still available. I HAVE NOT GRADUATED. I AM STILL LEARNING. Now my husband has joined my family topside, and he adds to my education.

Since I’m home, I’m able to attend Mass on television. Yesterday the homily was WISDOM. The priest summed up his talk by suggesting that we remember the things we have learned and pass them on to others. And it made me think. Often, I take things at face value and don’t see the deeper meaning behind the events.

I have to admit that just happened. My youngest daughter’s birthday is this week. She was going to stop by our house before going home. She mentioned that she was thinking of trying to make gluten free bread in her bread machine. I’m aware that I often have help from the other side. I was not surprised that a gluten free bread book was posted at Amazon. Also posted was an anthology – Mrs. Jeffries Sallies Forth. I am a fan of Mrs. Jeffries and will admit that I have read ALL 41 of her books. I have been retreating to OLD ENGLAND to escape our world. Having 3 stories in one book sounded good to me. And I placed my order. I had been thinking of getting the first book in the series for my daughter.

Thursday night I received the bread book, I also received Mrs. Jeffries GHOST, the third book in the series. WHAT? HOW? WHY? That was not what I ordered. I checked the order, somehow it changed from the book I order to GHOST! To say that I wasn’t happy is an understatement. I WAS NOT QUIET about the mistake. Thankfully a phone call the next morning got me the book I wanted. I decided to keep GHOST, read it and give it to my daughter. I’m not a fast reader, I don’t skim but I finished the book by Friday night, all 11 chapters. The last sentence gave me laugh.

I planned to wrap it for my daughter’s birthday. But I had the bread book too. I also had a digital scale so that she could weigh the ingredients. Then the Anthology arrived and the packaging was big enough to hold all three items. Sunday morning, I attended Mass. Sunday afternoon one and one made two. I wrote a note to my daughter telling her that GHOST was a gift from her DAD. He was able to change the book from the one I ordered to GHOST. Her father is very TALENTED.

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BOTANICAL GARDEN FALL 23

Even though I have a membership, I had only visited the GARDEN one time this year, blooming of the crab apple trees. Easy to explain since I’ve spent many weeks in the country. The weather forecast was for sunny skies, warmer than usual. I decided that it would be good for me to go. Since I have come home, I’ve tried to reclaim our home. I’ve made some progress but more needs to be done. And I decided it could wait.

I planned to leave at 10, after the rush hour traffic. Robin hadn’t eaten her dinner on Monday and she was pesty. I decided to feed her before I left. She was HUNGRY. She ate almost all of it without any fussing. Traffic was still heavy. I knew that the forecast of 80 degree weather would bring crowds to the GARDEN and I was right. Thankfully I now have a handicapped placard that would allow me to park closer if I found a spot. THANKFULLY I DID.

I thought I had planned for the day. I had; I wore a hat that had a string to keep it from blowing off my head. I had a case with my membership card and a credit card so I could get food. I had a bottle of water and a couple of cough drops. I had a vest that I could carry everything in and not take my purse. I had my cane. I DID NOT HAVE FOOD OR PAIN PILLS.

Thankfully my knees were behaving but I decided to sit down every 30 minutes and rest for at least 10. ENJOY THE DAY. I thought I would visit the Old English Garden and the Japanese Garden. I only took a half bottle of water, planning to refill it. It would be lighter. I have to admit that I sat down more than I used to. And of course, when I sat down, I would drink my water.

I reached the rose garden when I decided to refill my bottle. Roses were still blooming. The fountains had already been turned off. One was filled with mums. The great lawn was empty of flowering plants. The GARDEN was preparing for Winter Lights and cold weather. The Bonsa was packed and the greenhouses were closed. An 80 degree day at the end of October had not been expected.

As I walked over to fill my water bottle, I saw a beautiful tree in its Fall colors that called my name. It was in a part of the GARDEN that I hadn’t visited in a few years. I always ended my visit by going down the wilderness path but since my knees have been acting up, I haven’t gone there. TODAY WAS THE DAY!

Over the years, I have sat down on the benches near the path, admiring the crab apple trees. Today I was able to direct two gentlemen to the bells. I was sitting by the path they should take to get to the bridge. One of the gentlemen mentioned he was suffering from neuropathy, and I mentioned Terry’s Naturally Herbal Feet and Nerves that has been of such benefit to me. I was tempted to walk the path, all the way to the end but I noticed the time. Leaving late, sitting and enjoying the day, the time sped by. I DID NOT WANT TO BE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. I walked a short way, took a few photos and remembered the many times I have enjoyed the path with my husband and daughter. GOOD MEMORIES

I didn’t have a map with me, but I thought I could return a different way. Thankfully the GARDEN has many benches for sitting and I wandered toward the exit. I was surprised to see crocus in bloom. They are a spring flower but there they were. Since I have spent so many years wandering the GARDEN, I didn’t have much trouble. I would have LOVED to stop and get something to eat but I didn’t want to get stuck in traffic. IT WAS A LOVELY DAY! I paid attention to the traffic and headed for the streets before it jammed up. I stopped for hot dog buns for dinner. I wanted to EAT, NOT COOK.

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CLOSING TRAILER 2023

I thought I had learned a lesson last year when I hoped to leave before noon and ended staying until three. I realized last year that I didn’t have the energy I used to have, and things took longer. This year I made a plan. I thought I had things under control. I WAS WRONG!

My son came out over the weekend and easily did all the things that were on my list for him. He loaded up his car with the bags I had packed. I decided that instead of leaving on Monday, I would wait until Tuesday. Take advantage of the beautiful weather one more day and drive home without needing to wear my coat. I neglected to inform the person who was going to winterize my trailer that I was staying another day.

I took Robin with me to the lauder mat to wash clothes. Since I had bags everywhere, she knew something was up. I didn’t want here to think that I had left without her. While we were gone, my trailer was winterized. WATER SHUT OFF. I thought something was different when we returned. I didn’t remember closing the curtain on the door. I was right. A note told me that the trailer was winterized. My oil furnace was unplugged. The trailer furnace was shut off.

Thankfully I didn’t have many dishes to wash. A friend suggested we go out to eat and I had agreed. I had been without running water many times over the years. I knew how to deal with it. I just had the food to pack — freezer and frig. Batteries to take out, things to turn off, or unplug. I had my list.

I hadn’t planned on my knees yelling and my back doing the same. I had to rest more than I planned. Even though I had the vacuuming done, I still had to defrost the frig. It had frozen again after I defrosted it. No problem if I had hot water. Microwave gave me a cup of hot water. I DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH WATER IN THE TRAILER TO FLUSH THE TOILET. I had to get a pail of water from the outside pump. EASY WHEN I WAS YOUNG. NOT SO EASY NOW. BUT I DID IT. I had antifreeze available to pour into the toilet once it flushed.

FINALLY got the bags loaded into the car. It was already after two. I needed gas for the car and decided that I would get gas on property. It was a shorter walk. I could toss out the remaining bag of garbage on the way. When I was getting gas, I remembered that I hadn’t unplugged the microwave. The gas station is close to our trailer, driving back wasn’t a problem. THE TIME ON THE MICROWAVE WAS 3:00. OOPS! I HAD NOT UNPLUGGED THE MICROWAVE. Thankfully I remembered. One year the microwave had run FOREVER. I did not want that to happen again.

Finally leaving at 3:30. I would be home during rush hour. I changed my plan — once in the city, I would take the streets. Rewarded — driving on a street close to home I totally enjoyed the Halloween decorations — skeletons, dragons — OH MY! I wished I could take some photos.

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TIMING

Yesterday I scheduled DUET to post. The theme concerned the back-to-back storms that ended July following a stretch of 90-degree days. I am at my winter home in the city. We just had three days back-to-back that reached 94-degrees.

We had heavy storms last night that are continuing through today. At the camper Robin shelters under my bed. She cannot get under my bed here. At 12:30 she woke me when the rain started. Even though it was only drizzling, I gave her thunder bites. At 4:00 AM she heard thunder. She became nervous, looking for a good place to hide. I was not able to go back to sleep. I finally gave up, turned on the television looking for a weather report. At 6:00 AM I saw the extent of the lightening and gave her more thunder bites.

Coming downstairs at 7:00 AM my phone announced that lightening was detected in my area. I was pleasantly surprised to hear the message on my phone — The Rockford weather AP works on my phone in the city. My phone warned me again when heavy rain was coming.

Somehow, I missed the weather forecast — the warning of strong storms. Too tired? Still trying to catch up? Too much to do? On purpose I haven’t over scheduled. I wrote five thought rambles at the camper but since I don’t have the program to work offline, I’ve had to try to get them scheduled while I’m home. I’m not a typist. I flunked typing in high school. To make life more interesting, they have made changes to the program. And because it is MY LIFE, MY EDITORS HELP. If what I’ve written doesn’t meet expectations or is too rambling, changes are made.

I received notice that one of my prescriptions needed to be renewed. In order to get new pills — My doctor wants to see me. Thankfully I have a free time this week, AND SO DOES HE.

Coming home, catching up on the mail, I saw a notice from the city regarding senior tax exemptions. I sent the paperwork in April, including a copy of my husband’s death certificate and a copy of my ID. I was concerned that it wasn’t received. On hold for 45 minutes, I finally got a human voice, she gave me an answer. Paperwork had been received. I had my exemption. TIME WELL SPENT. I COULD RELAX.

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ROSES

It started simply. I wandered into a bookstore in Dixon. Although I have camped in the area for many years, I did not know the bookstore was there. Entering I saw Sister Jean’s book “Wake Up With Purpose.” I knew it was mine. I decided that instead of reading Sister Jean from cover to cover, I would save a chapter for dessert. I recognized the name immediately. I had seen her on television many times over the years. I knew I would enjoy her thoughts. I was right. One serving and I knew I would need a place to write her thoughts or my comments.

The very next day I found the perfect journal, “Blessings Among the Roses”. There was plenty of pages waiting for comments enlivened by artwork and quotes. That inspired me to write today. Through the years I have received many roses but a few stand out in my memory.

I have written about many of them. I remember the fragrance of the roses when the blessed Virgin Mary was present at the Queen Of Heaven cemetery in Hillside. Heading out the door for Mass I found roses on the porch. I thought they were real, left by my neighbor. Only to discover that they are silk, identity of presenter unknown. They have a place in my kitchen. I wrote “Roses with the Morning Paper” in Journey with Me.

After my husband passed, we got a landscaper to enhance our front yard. I asked for stones and Hosta’s because our front yard is all shade. They brought 2 rose bushes. I knew my husband was involved. He knows I love roses. I asked the landscapers to move the roses to the sunshine in the back and Hosta’s to the front. Putting in a garden at the camper I asked for two rose bushes. The varieties the nursery chose blooms all summer.

Having both books surface this week is timely. I had been wrestling with questions about my age. Will I be healthy enough to continue to enjoy the camper? Articles about the accomplishments of people of advanced age are often in my sight. I decided to do what Sr. Jean is doing –Start the day with purpose.

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DISCOVERY

We have had smoke in the air from the fires in Canada. I haven’t noticed a problem breathing but I wondered if the smoke wasn’t affecting my body. My knees and fingers are experiencing problems. I wondered if the poor air quality is causing the issues.

Monday, I did not feel well. I made chicken noodle soup on Friday, more noodles spilled into the soup than I planned. I froze three pkgs and put the remainder in the frig. After I finished the soup in the frig, I raided the freezer.

Sitting outside, taking it easy, I watched 5 bunnies run in a line past me. A butterfly hovered around my head. It stayed long enough for me to talk to it. The hummingbirds visited the feeder and the petunias many times. In the evening the bunnies were back, running in a straight line. I watched a group of deer cross the road, headed to the corn field. It was an unusual day. The air quality seemed better.

Tuesday, I had energy. I was determined to do something. I pulled out the step stool and investigated a corner cabinet. I’m shrinking and so are my arms. The top shelf had something hidden in the back. I couldn’t reach it. Thankfully a fly swatter was on the sink. I used it to retrieve a large 2 qtr. plastic pitcher with a smaller one inside. I was going to leave it on the shelf where I could reach it. But then I realized I wouldn’t be able to get it down without a stool.

Since I had the stool, I cleaned off the top of the refrigerator. It had not been touched since my husband passed. It was LOADED with MICE droppings. Also loaded with cardboard tubes used to keep the frig doors open during the winter. I found a bunch of notes written many years ago. I DID NOT LOOK AT THEM. Bunching the mess up, I dropped it into the sink to be dealt with later. I was able to reach disinfectant kept in the sink cabinet. After putting stuff back, I continued with the small shelf in the corner cabinet. I found plastic storage bins with no tops. I planned to recycle them but plans hanged when with the help of the fly swatter I FOUND THE TOPS. Since I like to cook, they would be helpful in storing leftovers. I seldom make a one serving meal.

I decided I had done enough work for the day. Gathering up the trash, I threw it into a bag. I didn’t tie the bag because I had more stuff outside that I wanted to add to it. Tossing the bag down the stairs, a piece of paper escaped. It was a lovely note from Tom telling me he had gone fishing. Before dropping off the garbage bag, I searched for more notes. Most of them detailed life, shopping, church, etc. I found one in which Tom was taking our Lab, Mabel, to the lake.

I THINK TOM WANTED THE NOTES FOUND. THAT IS WHY ONE ESCAPED.

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GARDEN

Monday morning, I waited for rush hour to end before leaving for the camper. I planned to stay for a month. Thankfully I remembered lessons learned when I stayed longer than I planned, I brought all my vitamins and prescriptions with me. I included 2 bottles of Terrys Naturally Healthy Feet and Nerve pills. I didn’t want to run out again. Aldis had a fabric picnic basket on sale. It held all my morning and evening pills plus extras.

I had six bags packed by 8:00 AM so my son could load the car before he started working. He managed to get all the bags plus 3 boxes of fencing and the 3 plants I brought home into the car. He buckled a box into the front seat to hold one of the plants.

The outbound traffic was lovely. When I arrived at the camper the gardeners were already busy. They had parked their truck with trailer across the street blocking the drive I used to back up my car for easy unloading. They not only unloaded my car, they brought everything into the camper for me. I’M EXTREMELY GRATEFUL.

Tuesday morning, an alarm woke me at 6:00. I DID NOT HAVE AN ALARM SET. I was dressed when I opened the door at 7:00 and saw their truck. They not only brought beautiful plants, they replanted my daffodils. We had pavers left over from an early stone patio. They made a safe path to walk on. I didn’t have enough fencing to surround the whole garden. I need five more boxes. I was surprised when I saw a heart made from river rocks. Robin jumped the fence into the garden.

I was concerned about the soaker hose. I DID NOT NEED TO WORRY. They attached it to the hydrant that is close to the camper on level ground. They put the hose under the stairs so I wouldn’t drive over it. If you are getting the impression that I’m very happy with their work. You are CORRECT.

Thursday, I traveled south to look for garden ornaments. First stop I found a St, Francis of Assisi statue. I was born on his feast day and have searched for a garden statue for years. I also found a solar hummingbird and bee on closeout. I bought 8 solar disk lights for the path.

When I finally arrived back at the camper, I left the garden stuff in the car. Friday night I sat myself down and had a heart-to-heart talk with myself. I reminded myself that I should not wait for others to do everything. Saturday morning, I placed St. Francis by the heart and put in both solar decorations. I decided that the solar disks should be left for those that can bend without falling over. I noticed the mama robin had hatchlings born that morning. Hummingbirds were feeding on the petunia plant. A monarch butterfly found the butterfly bush. The garden is coming to life.

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DO YOU HEAR ME GRUMBLING?

The warning signs were up. DID I PAY ATTENTION? NOPE! Full speed ahead. Bright and early my watch showed the need for a charge. I hooked it up to the charger — an hour later NOTHING. NOT CHARGING. TRY AGAIN!

I have been tracking the amount of protein I eat on My Fitness Pal. I wanted to add the Mediterranean Beef and Cabbage that I had just made. Since I had 6 pkgs in the freezer I knew that it would be part of my diet for a while. I wanted to add the recipe. ANOTHER CHALLENGE. I could not add the ingredients. Finally, I found a food already listed. Not a good start to the morning.

Because of numbness in my hands, I have been taking the pill Terry Naturally Healthy Feet & Nerves. I brought a new bottle with me in May, but concerned that I was running out at home, I took some home with me. I didn’t bring more out. The quantity remaining in the container concerned me. I was taking two pills twice a day. I counted them, using 2 pills as one. I had enough for 17 days but only one serving a day NOT TWO. I was staying for two more weeks. The pill contains an assortment of B vitamins as well as other ingredients. I have a bottle of B100’s. I decided to try supplementing to extend the time frame.

I purchased a new cookie sheet to make a tray of BBQ chicken and veggies in the oven. Washed the tray, oiled it, covered it with parchment paper, then added the chicken and veggies. THE TRAY WAS TOO BIG FOR THE OVEN! I didn’t think to try it out before washing it. Thankfully I have two cast iron frying pans. I don’t use them often because of the weight. They would stand up to a 450 oven. They worked beautifully.

I finally received the cost and starting date for the GARDEN. I didn’t realize the landscaper was part of the nursery until I made a phone call and heard the name. I had to explain my laughter to the person who answered the phone.

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NUDGED AGAIN

My father passed in 1995. His spirit continues to HELP me. (My introduction to his HELP is in my book JOURNEY WITH ME.)

I remembered his birthday this year and posted his picture on Facebook. In October I closed our camper for the year and signed up to have it winterized. I have used that company for YEARS. His father set up our new trailer in 1984. His son winterized my trailer the same day I closed. He tried to turn off the gas but the knob just turned. Although I just had the gas tank filled, I called the gas company with the problem.

Long story shortened, a problem was discovered in my gas stove making it unusable. I called a local company and ordered a new one over the phone. Josh was at my camper when the new one was installed. After the stove was hooked up, he checked that the gas was shut off. He noticed the guage read ZERO. I had paid over $300 for a gas fill up. Many phone calls to the company to discuss the problem. Thankfully the problem was resolved on my father’s birthday. My account was credited and plans for a fill was set up.

During the summer my hands lost feeling, becoming numb. During October I got cortisone shots in both wrists for carpal tunnel. The morning of my father’s birthday, my right hand started losing feeling, became hot. I wear braces on my hands at night while sleeping. I was concerned.

The evening of my father’s birthday, I received a phone call from a promoter who wanted to republish Journey With Me.

The night before the promoter’s second phone call — my right hand became hot again. I wondered if it was a warning from my father to be careful.

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TIMING

The last time I posted was August 26, 2020 — Titled IN THE TIMING. I won’t bore you with the long story of why I stopped or why I’ve decided to write again.

Again, the title is TIMING. On the anniversary of my mother’s and brother’s passing, Jan. 19, 2023, I got a severe cold. Then a tooth that needed repair hurt, making eating on that side impossible. My cold improved and the tooth was removed, and my gum became infected. Three weeks of medication before the gum finally healed– on the anniversary of my father’s passing, Feb 19. I spent over a month sitting on the couch resting, praying.

I’m normally a busy person. I’m active, enjoy shopping, seldom watch television. I did NOT have energy to do anything but sit. My son went shopping more often in one month than he had in years. I cooked — BARELY. I watched our dog’s fur cover the house without the energy to do anything about it. DEPRESSED? I don’t know!

Before the infection healed, I reached the conclusion that I still had work to do and better regain my health. The dentists worried that because of my age I would have trouble breathing. Thankfully that did not happen.

The last time I wrote, I posted EVERY WEEK. This time I will try for once a month. More often if I’m inspired. I have a team on the other side who HELP me with my life. Interesting things have happened since my husband has joined the team. I have MORE STORIES to share.

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