So far...

...this is the oldest I've ever been.

I started reading a book this morning, I've only read one chapter so far and I can tell it is going to be very philosophical.  I like those kinds of books. The chapter I've read puts into prospective where we fit into the universe.  It said I should go outside and absorb the universe, seeing not just the large obvious things, but the minute.  As I sat there, I discovered I was not absorbing the universe, it was absorbing me.  As the book said, I will discover just how tiny I am.  The book is right.

The book also said I am where I am supposed to be.  It has taken my whole lifetime to get here, but I realized this morning along the way, unbeknownst to me the universe has absorbed me.  This brought on much contemplation. How lucky I have been and am.  Most of the time the universe has kept me safe and secure, sprinkling in moments of joy, sorrow, anguish, hope, and every other emotion a 'minuscule molecule' like myself can handle.  Oh, and its even given me moments of "turning my hair grey" fear (like when I thought my daughter and I were going to die during one of California's earthquakes).  Thanks to you universe, those moments have been few and far between.

A few years ago I came across the little saying that says, 'So far this is the oldest I've ever been.' I liked that a lot.  This morning's revelation about my being where I am supposed to be made me wonder...how long am I going to be allowed where I am (universe-wise)?  Such a thought gave me quite a heady-ache, so I've decided I'm not going to even concern myself about that. Considering the microscopic blob I am on one of the universe's Petri dishes I think I'm just going to let the universe handle the how long.  That way if I'm fortunate to wake up tomorrow morning and put my feet on the floor, that will be the moment I'm the oldest I've ever been.  Again, thank you universe.

To be honest, all this pondering gave me great comfort, it's nice to know I've become absorbed by the universe. I realize I'm not and I will never be alone.  For with all the other microscopic blobs on my Petri dish, and those on all the other universe's Petri dishes none of us will ever be alone.  I've gained a new appreciation for the blobs even smaller than I. Hello, cells.  Hello, grains of sand.  Hello, butterfly and bee. Hello, birds of song.  Thank you, universe.

Ubiquitous

Ubiquitous.  What the heck?  I don't even know how to spell the word...or what it means so how come it was the first word that popped into my head this morning.  In my head I was spelling it Eubicquicis.  Of course I had to go to my computer and go to my dictionary app and try to look it up. I sent the dictionary into a tailspin.  It had no idea what word I wanted, and kept asking me if I meant this word or that word and none of them made any sense to me AT ALL.

I got more and more frustrated. I wondered if as I was falling asleep last night the TV show I was watching might have said the word and it got stuck in my subconscious mind.  After all the show I was watching was the old Alfred Hitchcock show on Me or We TV.  He loved to use the kinds of words I never did.  I think ubiquitous would just roll off his tongue like butter in a hot skillet.

I knew I had heard ubiquitous over my lifetime, but obviously I never needed to use it which is why I had to give my best shot on how it might be spelled.  After several tries finally the dictionary said, "Do you mean Ubiquitous?"  At that moment I had the revelation that this was indeed the word I wanted, and that I had actually seen this word in written form before.  I was half way home..now I just had to find out what it meant.  Somehow I thought it had some kind of religious connotation.

Here's what I learned.

Ubiquitous

Adjective:

Existing or being everywhere, especially at the same time; omnipresent: As in ubiquitous fog; ubiquitous little ants.  So, I guess if you believe in God you could say he is ubiquitous...existing or being everywhere at the same time.

It always amazes me the things that get stuck in my head.  I've not a clue when I would ever use this word, but let's see if I can try.  "The weather man told me today the sun is going to be ubiquitous in Oregon tomorrow."  Let me tell you I sure hope he's right; I need for that ubiquitous sun to warm my ubiquitously cold body.  Did I use ubiquitous in a proper manner?  I sure hope so, because whew, I'm exhausted!

I guess you've heard...

...there's a cruddy illness going around.  My sister's family has it, my daughter's family has it, and it turns out the company I took my tax papers to on Friday has it as well.  They hadn't bothered to call me to tell me my tax lady was ill so I went to fulfill that obligation.

On one hand, I wanted to be angry, how much effort would it have taken to give me a buzz so we could have rescheduled my appointment.  When the receptionist told me the staff was 'dropping like flies' I was wishing I had brought my disinfecting spray along, I'd have doused myself in it.  I was glad I had touched nothing but the doors handle and had a nice leisurely walk home in order for any germs I might have picked up to fall off me onto the sidewalk as I sauntered along.  I had thought about stopping along the way to pick up a bit of lunch, but was glad I hadn't because if the crud is going around I might have picked it up no matter where I would have stopped.

On the other hand I was able to drop off my tax papers which meant I did not have to stay in their 'sick' office long; hopefully not long enough to become infected.  I was told they will call whenever they had been completed and I left in a hurry.  I'm going to give them till Wednesday and then give them a jingle to make sure my tax papers are being looked at (after all there is a time frame involved here) and ask when they might be completed. Plus, hopefully by then the crud will have made its way through their office so when I pick my competed tax papers up no one there will be contagious.

In the meantime, I got a call from my Granddaughter yesterday informing me that the scheduled Easter celebration has been cancelled for today...dang crud...however I did appreciate the call.  So far I've managed to escape this illness and hope I continue to do so.  From all reports, the cough lingers for a very long time and getting your strength back is not easy.  The pessimist part of me thinks this crud probably affects older people harder than the young, and I would hate to end up in the hospital with perhaps something worse...like pneumonia.  I feel icky just thinking about all of this.  DANG CRUD! The optimist in me wants to think I will escape this illness altogether...I hope, I hope, I hope.

So, Easter Sunday morning, here I sit...wondering what I can prepare as a mini celebration of the resurrected Jesus.  I'm sure as long as Frankie and Muse don't have to do the cooking anything will be fine with them.  I have a few ideas up my sleeve that I will keep as a surprise.  I do wish I had a bunny suit though; I'd love to bounce into their room and jump on their beds till they fall off.  Zorro, CC and I've been up since before six.

On the sunny side of life...I'm still feeling good that so far the crud has not invaded my household.  I sure hope it doesn't.

Happy Easter everybody.

Open invitation

A couple of days ago, late afternoon, I was sitting on my patio having a Peach Brandy over ice.  It had been a busy day and I was thankful for a few minutes to do nothing but enjoy my pooch wandering around what I like to call my 'yard'.  There was a gentle breeze blowing; causing my daffodils to lazily nod their heads which made me feel even more relaxed and at home.

The sky was blue with humongous white puffy clouds, geese flew by and sparrows, towhees, finches and other tiny birds flew in and out of my vine maple on their way to my neighbor's feeders.  This was a perfect way to end a day.

I got to thinking about the faithful followers of my blog and how much they might enjoy relaxing on my patio.  So, I've decided to send all of you an open invitation to come have a 'sit' anytime you would like.  I promise to leave you alone as you sit with your thoughts and breathe in the fresh air and allow yourself the pleasure of enjoying the sky and magnificent view I get to see every day.  

Bring your favorite happy hour cocktail if you like or perhaps a cup of coffee or tea. Maybe cool lemonade or soft drink more suits your taste. Whatever your pleasure I guarantee it will only enhance your time spent here.  Bring a book or your favorite music if that would better please you.  I simply want you to have a relaxing end to your hectic day.

Stop by any time, just swing open the gate and take a seat.  Spend an hour or two with absolutely nothing to do but whatever fills your heart with joy.   

Hope to see you soon. 

Muu-Muus

Okay, I promised I would send pictures of the purchase that had Frankie and Muse in such a state. 

For a couple of days I had a problem getting the pictures from my camera into my computer.  They simply would not transfer.  I got so frustrated I put the camera away and decided I didn't give a dang if the picture ever got onto the computer at all.  But then my conscience got the better of me, after all a promise is a promise.  

So today I gave the camera another chance to do its thing.  At first I had no success so I decided to click the little help button and it said something about the share button on the camera and how I was supposed to make sure it was activated.  I figured it must have been because I've been transferring pictures from the camera to my computer for years.  Still, hmmm, could I have accidentally pushed the button and the camera was no longer set for sharing.    

I clicked the button and then tried to upload the pictures again.  Wa' da' ya' know?  Well by golly it worked.  I tell you what, I've been having a great deal of problems with my blog, how people no longer are seeing it, how they have to go through Google to get it, and now how to get one blankity, blank picture to transfer into it.  It's been one heck of a ride.  I'm still trying to figure out how to get the blog directly into Facebook (again) without the warped picture, of whatever the heck it is supposed to be in it.  Grrrrrrrrr.

If you think I'm just a tad upset, trust me I am. 

Anyway, today I was (finally) able to upload the Muu-Muu picture to the blog, thereby fulfilling my obligation and promise to show you my fantastic purchase.  The top one is forest green, the one on the bottom is black.  

Now I just have to hope the summer will be warm enough to wear them.  Of course, Frankie and Muse are both hoping summer will not.   

Quack, quack

As some of you might know, if you are also friends on Facebook, a pair of Mallards has found I'm a soft touch when it comes to all things nature.  After the terrible experience I had with Bird Lady several years back I've been very gun shy about feeding anything other than myself, Frankie, Muse, Zorro and CC, that's costly enough...but...Lord save a duck.

Yes, even though I promised myself I would not get involved with this fantastically handsome couple, I'm smitten.  The first time they came to call and I fell all over myself in a rush to find something for them to snack on while Frankie in frenzy warned me not to get involved.

I think I told her something along the lines that this was 'a onetime thing' and 'not to worry'.

She's been worrying ever since.  Those Mallards not only came back the next morning, within a few days when I opened my door to let Zorro out for the first time, they WERE WAITING FOR ME.  Of course Frankie was beside herself at this.  Some of my Facebook friends are a bit concerned as well. Most are giving me thumbs up, and I'm trying to reassure them that it is still okay, because I've not given them names so we are still JUST acquaintances.  

Frankie here...."Yeah, right!  Just acquaintances!"

No, no, it's true.  After all, this winter I did give names to Ebb Tide and Seamore Seagull didn't I?  I didn't feed them but we were very good friends.  Until I give the ducks names, we are simply, well, ducaintances.  (I sense Frankie is buying none of this.)

Here's the thing.  On one hand I think what I'm doing can't possibly get me into trouble because around here a lot of people feed the birds. It's not my fault seeds from my neighbors endeavors to feed our feathered friends fall to the ground just off my patio...right?  So perhaps the Mallards would have eventually found that seed and come to visit after all.  Such is the way of nature.

On the other hand, there are also quite a few geese that habitat here, and the golf course is not happy with them AT ALL.  The maintenance personnel frequently chase them about in their golf carts, and sometimes even fire off paint balls at them in an endeavor to frighten them away.   I fear if they see I'm encouraging my little couple to come for a snack I could be getting myself into big trouble.

Frankie here..."Ya' think!"

Still, they are such beautiful creatures I can't help myself; I guess I'm willing to take a risk.  Besides, they have become to depend on me.  This morning again they were waiting for me to open my door even though I had overslept and was running quite late.  Millie even returned later for an additional fill up.  Whoops....did I say Millie?  

Frankie here..."Uh-oh!  (Insert sigh here)."

Last night I went on line to inquire what ducks like to eat and I learned they enjoy corn, oats and some lettuce as well.  But, to not feed them bread although the website did not explain why.  So, I found a site that sold both corn and oats in 5 pound bags and bought some of both, while picking up lettuce when I go shopping will be easy.  I hope Millie and Maynard will stick around all summer to enjoy the fruits of my labor.

Whoops...did I say Maynard?

Frankie here..."(Inert long, labored sigh here.)"

Boy, oh boy!

There is something in the air.  No, well yes, there really is but, that's not my problem.  I think something has bitten me, I'm all a twitter.  I know what it is!  It's a love bug.  OH, not the kind you're thinking. This is love of spring.

I see spring everywhere.

I smell spring everywhere.

I feel spring everywhere.

I hear spring everywhere.

I even touch spring everywhere.

It seems every day I see some new greenery popping up in my tiny garden, just a few days ago I noticed some new bulbs have broken ground, I think they are lilies of some sort but it is still too soon to tell. Yesterday I saw some tiny Tit Mouse birds stopping for a snack, thanks to my upstairs neighbor who is very good at keeping her feeders full. Then this morning I watched as the golf course gardener mowed the lawn.

It seems every day I smell spring.  Yes, what's better than the scent of freshly mowed grass?  A while later I was checking the potted plants on my patio and the odor of something very sweet reached my nostrils, it was my pink primrose.  I don't think I ever noticed how heavenly they smell.  Shoot, I even liked the smell of the dirt as I was weeding tiny starts of grass inching into my garden.

And, speaking of dirt.  I like the feel of dirt on my hands I don't even mind that it gets under my fingernails.  I like the feel of tree bark. Yesterday I did some trimming of my vine maple; I think bark has such interesting textures.  One of the branches was quite dead and the feel between the live and dead branch was quite stunning. The branches that were alive were smooth and moist, while the one that was dead was hard and brittle.  Chunks of it flaked off into my hand and larger pieces fell onto the ground as I sawed it off.

I hear spring in the sound of the birds; you know they sing differently this time of year.  Yesterday evening I heard the group of Mallards temporarily residing here quarrying over who was going to mate with whom.  I hear neighbors, we are beginning to leave our doors open and the sound of screen doors squeak open, and then shortly click shut. And, then of course, there is the noise of hustling/bustling riding mowers...coming close....then moving far.  I hear the greetings of golfers as they come to tee off, as "hello" and "how are you" abound.

I touch spring in the warmth of the arm of my patio chair as I sit in the sun.  I touch it as I plant a seedling cedar I found coming up by a sidewalk; along with the English Daisies I transplanted from the lawn here into my garden. I even touched it when I moved seedlings of Forget-me-nots and purple violets that came up in potted plants I brought from the place I used to live into a semi-shaded spot just off the patio.

Oh yes, I'm definitely in love with spring.

And my favorite love...the Mallard ducks that have found I'm a real softy when it comes to spring.  A few evenings ago they wandered close to my tiny garden, I raced into the apartment and crushed up some corn chips and threw them out so they could have an evening snack. They've been coming back ever since and have become so comfortable this morning as I threw open the door, there they sat, in the corner of my garden waiting for breakfast...how did they know breakfast would be coming?  Oh, I know...it's spring.

I confess...

...I was way, w-a-y over due for my annual physical.  I was well, w-e-l-l over the two year mark.  Then when I moved I had a hard time finding a physician that was taking new patients.  It turned out those that were, were specialists, or pediatricians.  I don't need a specialist and I'm
w-a-a-a-a-y beyond needing a pediatrician.

Then, one day I found a physician in family practice who was taking patients and I immediately made an appointment with her.

Naturally my stress elevated from that moment on....I hate going to a doctor...and I told the nurse and the doctor today I knew my blood pressure was gonna' be up.  It was.

Anyway, a few years back my daughter indicated she thought it was a good idea if she met my physician, and I agreed...but then...I stopped going to doctors.  That took care of that.  However, I got to thinking about that when I made today's appointment and I asked her if she would like to come along and meet this new doctor.  She said yes.

Off we went.  This was a new clinic I'd never been to before and as clinics go it was brightly painted, very organized and easy to maneuver.   In addition everybody was friendly and helpful.  We checked in and took a seat.  Sadly, the wait to actually see the doctor took some time, but my HMO has a policy of spending quality time with each patient, so I was prepared for the wait.  Of course, sometimes there are actual emergencies, too, making a wait necessary.

Eventually they called my name, I was on my way,  I told the nurse my daughter wanted to meet my doctor, and could she eventually join me. I was told that would not be a problem.  The doctor and I talked for quite a while.  Was I having any problems?  How was I feeling, generally speaking?  Do I sleep well?  What medications do I take, etc, etc?

I asked the doctor to check my file to see if I had an 'emergency' contact in the file and was not the least surprised when she said I didn't.  I said I thought I should and that my daughter was waiting to meet her could she come in.  Not only did the doctor say she could...she personally went to the waiting area to get her.  Turns out it is indeed a good thing for an older person to have an 'emergency' contact in their file, it is also a good idea for the patient to fill out a form stating that this 'emergency' person is to be privy to "some or all' the medical information and problems the patient has.  And, here's the thing...if you don't have such a form on file...the doctor CANNOT...divulge ANY...of the information in your file to family members or anybody else.  It's part of the 'right to privacy' legal stuff.   I was quite surprised and filled mine out so that my daughter will have access to all medical information.  What I want to point out is I don't think my doctor would have even brought up the form if I had not been making inquiries. Maybe this is something you should discuss with your physician as well.

Of course after my visit, I had to have blood work done, and a new prescription to fill as well.  I can think about a mammogram, which brought about the discussion of cancer, and treatments.  I told her if I ever did get cancer the first thing I would do is sign up and join a cancer study program.  She seemed surprised I was willing to be a guinea pig.  Shoot, at my age, why not?

As it turned out my appointment went very well, my daughter and I decided we really like my new doctor...not that I won't get stressed out the next time I have to go see her.  Some things will never,
n-e-v-e-r change.

Remember I mentioned...

after all these years I've started to get seed and plant catalogs again.  I should have thrown them away.  I didn't.  I've spent hours thumbing through them and I want one of everything.  I know it's ridiculous, I live in an apartment for heaven's sake with very limited space.  I think the best I can do is contemplate planter boxes.  I think I can get my grandson to come and help...at least I hope so.

In one catalog I saw this front page ad.  "Half price vegetable sampler! Regularly 12.99, now only 6.50!  The ad goes on to say you get 1 seed packet each of Zucchini, Yellow Pepper, Radish, Tomato, Lettuce, Cantaloupe, Carrot, Beet, Cucumber, Pea, Bush Bean and Spinach. Wow!!!!!!  Is that a good deal or what?  I simply have GOT to buy this.  I figure if I can get just one plant of some of these varieties, (for instance Zucchini, Cantaloupe, Cucumber) they should provide enough fresh veggies to see me through the summer...making this purchase well worth the price.

My one patio gets sun most of the day and should be ideal for vegetable growing, and I think there will be enough room to have plastic planter boxes end to end to plant all of the above.  Of course I will have to do a lot of 'thinning' but I can always use the 'thinned' greens as part of salads so not much will go to waste.  Am I a crazy dreamer or what?

Then of course flipping through the pages of this magnificent publication I found items I had to leave behind at my old residence.  In particular, Red Rhubarb, Horseradish, and Jerusalem Artichoke they make beautiful garden greenery and are easy to grow.  Nice thing is I can purchase one of each, or multiples if I so desire...of course I have GOT to buy at least two each, in case one of them choose
to bite the 'dust'.

What the heck has come over me?

Shouldn't I be finding things 'not to do' instead of making more chores for myself, like weeding, thinning and watering?  Of course not.  I have always liked growing things, even when we were poor I would walk through my favorite Garden Center on a Saturday morning as they were cleaning and pick up broken stems and naked, forlorn, bare root seedlings I'd find on the concrete floor.  I could not bear to see them swept into a trash heap so I'd slip them into my purse and try to give them a second chance at home.

I think I embarrassed my husband because he would walk away and pretend he didn't know me. However, he was also frequently amazed at my success rate and eventually built me a lovely greenhouse to accommodate my 'free' plants.  If truth be told, I continued this practice even after I was able to afford to purchase any plant I wanted. Shoot, I'm still willing to give a sickly plant a home it does after all, have a 50-50 chance of survival.

And, just a few days ago I saw a tiny start of a tree (I think an alder) struggling to survive in the bark dust of my complex.  A pitiful sight it was.  I tenderly pried it loose and brought it home, it's sitting in water on the kitchen counter at the moment and I intend to plant it in a pot and hope for the best.  I guess I have never gotten over my Henry David Thoreau phase.  That's a good thing, right?

I'll keep you posted, but I'm sure you already know...I'm hooked...I expect dirt under my fingernails until the first frost of the fall season. Hopefully, there will be some good eating along the way.

When I woke up this morning I was giddy.

Yes, I really was, because I knew something Frankie and Muse didn't know.  My package was arriving today, my secret purchase was about to become known.

If you remember last week I wrote and said my Muu-Muus (according to the tracking I was doing) would be arriving today, and I was going to let one of the girls go to the mailbox to bring the package home.  I had a hard time believing I actually kept this secret.

As I was busy yawning and wiping the sleep from my eyes, I felt something move on my shoulder.  It was Angel awakening herself from sleep.

Me:  "How long have you been here?" I inquire.

Angel:  "A little after midnight."  She replied.

Me:  "Why didn't you wake me, is it something important."

Angel: "Maybe a little.  I think I found a flaw in your mailbox plan."

Suddenly I'm wide awake, what the heck is she talking about?  The plan was simple, what could go wrong, I was going to win the war.

Me:  "Go on."

Angel:  "Well, I know how humans like good 'come up 'in's,' and this could have been a really, really good one, but...."

Me:  "Could you get to the point please."

Angel:  "Suppose, now...just suppose Frankie or Muse do indeed pick up your package, and suppose as you suspect they know exactly what's inside, but suppose, just suppose rather than bringing it in and giving it to you they decide to play 'keep away'.

I'm stunned.  That scenario had never crossed my mind.  They are younger, more agile and unfortunately several inches taller than I. They could keep that package out of my reach, well, forever if they chose.  Suddenly I saw myself jumping and arm flailing around the place like a frog on a hot skillet.  This wasn't funny anymore. I wanted to smack Angel, but I knew she was only trying to help so I simply thanked her and asked if she any idea what I could do instead.  Her advice..."Pick up your own package."

At least I had a few hours to try to think of something.  I stewed.  I fretted.  I tried to maintain my composure; I didn't want the girls to know a wheel had come off the trolley.

It seemed to me I would have to get the package myself, and I did. Fortunately Frankie and Muse didn't notice the mail had been delivered so I quietly left the apartment and slunk my way to the box. Now I just had to get back inside unnoticed.

Uh-oh!

Frankie: (Pouring a cup of coffee.) "What's in the package?"

Me: (lying my pants off.)  "Oh, couple of weeks ago I ordered some pretty kitchen towels, that's all."

I don't even stop walking but head straight for the bedroom and do something most unusual...close the door.  Then I do something even more unusual (after I opened the package) I disrobe and redress myself in not one but all six Muu-Muus.  I admire myself in the full length mirror as Angel 'puffs' herself into the room on a silvery cloud.

Me:  "I know, I know, I look ridiculous."

Angel:  (Nodding.)  "Yes, yes you do.  And, your game plan is?"

Me:  Well, I know I'm in for some good old fashioned ribbing and possibly a lot of ridicule as well for this purchase, and I can take that. What I don't want is for Frankie and Muse to make a grab for them should I carry them out for them to see. So I figure since I'm an old woman, if I have them on my equally old body they might laugh themselves near death but they would never try to pry them off me.  My Muu-Muus would be safe and so would I.

Angel shakes her head in an 'I can't believe she ate the whole thing' kind of way and leaves without a word.

I slump onto the bed, wearing all six articles of clothing.  I have to muster up some courage to face whatever it is the girls choose to do or say.  It's true you know, "pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall."  I have to admit not only have I lost the battle, I've lost the war.  Oh, I got what I wanted alright, and I'm quite pleased with my purchases, the Muu-Muus are beautiful...but somehow there is nothing sweet in humble pie laced with the agony of defeat.

Giggle, giggle

I got a message in my e-mail late yesterday afternoon telling me my special package is in the mail and should be delivered by March 8th.  I can hardly contain myself.  Keeping this secret is so hard because every time I see Frankie and/or Muse I want to breaking into a rib hugging fit of giggles. This is sooo much fun.

I think it will be coming FedEx most of the way, with the post office making the final delivery.  At least I hope it works out that way.  I would love to have one of the ladies bring the package all the way back from the mail box.  They will recognize the name on the parcel as being a women's wear company, and I'm hoping the package will be kind of soft and squishy.  The most delightful thing is I will be able to watch the walk back to the apartment and can hardly wait to see the looks on the face of the carrier...I hope it's Frankie who makes the trip since she was the most adamant I not make this particular purchase.  

I know she will know exactly what is in the package and the emotions on her face are going to run the gambit from curiosity (when and how exactly did I order these) and fury (knowing she not only lost the battle...she lost the war).  Oh, my, this is way too much fun.

Anyway, I know for a while Frankie and Muse will give me a hard time about buying these Muu-Muus, and I can put up with that just knowing I have put something over on both of them.  I will be tolerant, gracious and humble in the wake of their poor attitudes; and then hang these frocks in my closet until perhaps Memorial Day.  By then they will have put my purchases in the dark corner of their 'memory' closets, and perhaps even altogether forget about them (I hope).

Then, one magical day I will appear at breakfast in my brightest Muu-Muu and laugh my silly little head off.  Surprise!