What a Day!

 The 4th of July blast seemed like a bust. The weather canceled lots of celebrations, events, and fireworks. Overall, I think the climate and world situation felt like a pall hanging over the nation. Not many folks displayed flags or sported patriotic tee shirts. Picnics and parades got rained or flooded out. 

We went to see the baby, an hour away. A thunderstorm darkened the sky, lightning crackled and thunder boomed. Sixty m.p.h. wind zoomed the patio furniture across the deck as easlily as Jackson tossing a small toy. Thankfully it passed over soon. 

Then the phone calls started coming. Our neighbors called to announce a loud boom resonated from our back yard. There is a transformer on a pole behind our house. Out of power was the message from all callers. Power restoration: undetermined.

We returned home in the evening. No electricity. No trees downed. We have powerful room illuminating flash lights. But it was HOT, too hot to sleep. How did we ever do it without air conditioning in our early years?

We couldn't watch the Capitol Patriotic Fourth music and events on TV. I couldn't finish writing an article I needed to. As much as I get aggravated with and swear at my computer, even sweet talk didn't make it flicker. And my phone slowly croaked.

Bill harrumphed at the fridge and said, "I'm just going to sit and rest in the livingroom." He went to his power recliner, which he had left in the vertical upright lift position. "Guess I learned a lesson!" he said when he could not sit in his most comfy easy in and out chair.

We lost electricity, a refrigerator full of food, and almost our minds because we are dependent upon our "necessities." We were inconveinenced for 24 hours. I am so thankful for our many blessings.

My heart breaks for people across the world who deal with war and disasters daily. It upsets me to hear, "God bless the USA." Why can't we say, God bless us one and all?!

Oh he knew what he meant!

This is the man who loves the little boy who looks just like him and his first grandson.

Great grandson Jackson has been leery around Bill, keeping his distance. Last time he warmed up a little, but this time when he visited, Jackson ran right to PawPaw Bill, and the roughhousing, giggling, and playfulness began, much to Bill's delight!

 The cutest thing this little doll did was imitate his grandma and great grandpa. They were at the table looking at a document, touching columns and talking about details. Jackson climbed up on the table and sat right in the middle. He watched them, looking from one to the other as they conversed. 

 He waited for a pause, then he took his pointer finger and touched the document, too, babbling away to one, and then the other. We might have a little genious on our hands. He is a smart one. Wait until he starts talking!

Father's Day

We had a nice visit at Kyle and Abby's farm on Father's Day. A new calf was born. It rained for a while, but we were dry in the event barn. Bill's daughter, Robin, is known as G-maw to Jackson. She surprised him with a bubble gun. He had as much fun as we did blowing and catching bubbles.

        

He wanted more-more-more, and giggled when we blew them at him. He is walking all over and investigating everything. He blew bubbles and played with a little noisy police car that we brought him. He sure is a loved little boy.

ESPECIALLY by Paw-Paw Bill and Nana!

 If  you or someone you know is interested in Star Wars, Chicken Soup will be producing a book for the 50th birthday next year. They are seeking stories now. If you have a Star Wars story, write it up. If you want me to take a look before you send it off to their website, let me know. 500- 1,000 words.

As the sun sets

The vibrant sunset reminded me that I am blessed to be active, in good health and happy in my sunset years.  I love babysitting my great grandsons.

I had the urge to capture every fun moment with them. Charlie will be
8 next month and has a sense of humor and an imagination out of this world.

Liam just turned 12. He loves Pokemon cards. He is a deep thinker and claims he is more than half way to being an adult, and he deserves more privileges. 

Alex will be nine this summer. He builds fantatstic structures.  He is determined and has a mind of his own.

 They played tag on the front lawn until 9:30 p.m.

Long after the sun goes down on us...I hope they will remember fun times with Nana and Grandpa.

Dementia: Care for the Caregiver

 I’m so honored to have my story in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Care for the Caregiver. From someone who’s been there, I know caring for someone with dementia can be overwhelming, but these stories provide comfort, practical advice, and comic relief because self-care isn’t selfish, it’s essential. 

Release date is June 23rd and books are available on line and anywhere books are sold.

 I was a regular caregiver for my parents as they aged. Thankfully they lived nearby and I saw them almost everyday.

My story is about caring for my stepdad after Mom passed away. Pops thought a meal was peanut butter smeared on saltine crackers and a handful of M&Ms. 

My story details my experiences of having to make a difficult decision. M&Ms played a part in this story. 

Interested in winning a copy? If you are within the United States I will put your name in for a drawing and if it is yours, I will send you a copy of the book. Note, If you cannot reply on this blog, visit my facebook page, say you want to be in the drawing, and I will combine all names (from the blog and the FB page) draw one, and mail the winner. Thank you for your support. 

Unconventional treatment

Bill had a doctor appointment yesterday, and I went with him. We love our young, personable, knowledgeable, and fun, primary care doctor. As soon as she walked into the exam room I asked how to treat chiggers.

She said a topical anti-itch cream should do it.

I pointed to Bill's open wound on his shin and told her his preferred treatment is to scratch the bites open and douse with alcohol. She looked at me in disbelief.

I nodded and said, "I told him, but he won't listen."

She said, "Scratching can cause an infection."

He chuckled, looked her in the eye and said, 
"Not with alcohol!"

She shook her head and said, "And do you let the dog lick your wounds? That was what my grandpa always said worked to heal his."

I think she thinks of Bill as her grandpa. 

Never a dull moment with my funny honey.

Do you recall Betsy McCall?

I am proud to announce that my story, The Great Pretenders, is on line and in print at Prairietimes.com a local publication in Colorado.

My story details the summer of my tenth year, when my year-younger brother and I discovered a paper company in our neighborhood. We walked in and asked the receptionist if we could have a pack of paper and colored index cards.

She called the plant manager, a grumpy old man who scared me when he barked, "Why should I give it to you?"

I replied, "So we can stay busy all summer and not bother our mom. We will use it to make paper dolls like Betsy McCall, from the McCall's Magazine, and my brother can make furniture for her with the cards."

The boss said, "Well if I give it to you, you better not come back or tell your friends."

"Thank you. We won't." I said wide-eyed and surprised to receive a ream of paper. 

Do you recall paper dolls with those flimsy tabs on their clothing to attach to the dolls? Never stayed, and often tore off. How I loved Betsy's stories, and her variety of clothing in each issue. 

Such were the days for my brother and me. He has always had an engineer's brain. He made marvelous three dimensional couches, beds, chairs etc. for my paper dolls.

We also made mud pies, but that is a story for another time.