Tuesday, June 28, 2016

A Health Concern


"Colorado Aspen"


Acrylics, 16" x 20"
painted by N. McCarroll and
Gifted to Eva this week

Today I go in for an MRI to determine the cause of rib pain, left side, under previous breast cancer site.  It kept me awake while I was in Maine since I could not sleep on my side, but it did not keep me from having a very enjoyable time playing Scrabble, visiting with friends, and savoring lobster and the gorgeous views of water and greenery.  It was a wonderful week.

This health issue is worrying, of course, and I will post results when available.  Thank you in advance for your caring.  


Psalm 103:2-4 “Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion.

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Main Fun Times in Maine


Summer Solstice with a Strawberry Moon outside our cabin


Sunset on Penobscot Bay Sail

Castine Cottages where we occupied four cottages


Lupine Showing Off


Lobster traps


Sailing on Penobscot Bay


Lobster 



Lighthouse in Castine


Lobster traps on a haul



Relaxing at Andrea's house


Andrea, right, a most gracious hostess.  We all had a marvelous week playing Scrabble!


A few of us before departing Castine...


Thursday, June 16, 2016

Tea Party




Tuesday was the Tea Party for four manor residents.

Gene went to the grocery store for most of the party fare and bought cookies and cucumbers and thin white bread for buttered tea sandwiches.  He even found the Queen's recipe! 


For my part, I cleaned the patio and cut roses and whipped up scones, and made an ice ring with silk flowers frozen between layers of water.  During The Purge of Kitchen Doodads several years ago, our ancient handed down punch bowl, cups and ladle were dismissed with fond farewell.  So for tea, other utensil improvisations were in order. It all worked out.  More or less. Except we limped along without a ladle, pouring sherbet and 7-up punch from a pitcher into clear plastic cups.

This week I accompanied Julie when she went to her long awaited appointment with the ophthalmologist.  After the exam, he launched into a speil about how she would be having corrective surgery on her crossed eyes later in the summer at Children's Hospital in Denver.  I stopped him in his tracks when I brought up her winter flight to Denver for medical reasons, explained issues with pressure sores, the ambulance ride home that exacerbated the wounds, and ended my diatribe with the declaration that it would be very difficult to get her transported over to Denver.  
 
Long story, but the female ophthalmologist who corrected her eyes back in 1993 is still practicing in Denver and this current specialist with confer with that woman, reaching back 23 years into Julie's medical records and will likely, hopefully, be doing the corrective eye surgery on Julie in August.  Yes, Julie definitely needed a change in lens prescription but will wait for new lenses until after the eye surgery.

I am leaving today for Bangor, ME for the Cineast Scrabble Tournament in Castine, Maine.  It should be lots of fun, and I will be glad to get away for a week. Julie has been testy.

Sunday, June 12, 2016

Father Isaac and Very Reverend Father Don Malin

It is our privilege to have become members of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Parish this year.  Gene and I have grown in faith and have acquired new friends and spiritual partners in this parish.  The two priests serving at the parish are the Very Reverend Father Don P. Malin, V.F. and Father Isaac Kariuki, originally from Kenya. Here are a few pictures  of them over the past months.

Father Isaac Kairuki, fall of 2015 at RCI
 
Fr. Isaac, June, 2016
 
Fr. Isaac and Gene, June, 2016 at dinner
 
 
Father Don, March 2016
 
Father Don, March 2016 at Easter Vigil
 
 From this week at IHM:

'Just Believers'
Fr. Don Malin's band, 'Just Believers' will be performing after the 4PM mass at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church on Saturday, June 11th. The Knight's of Columbus will have a cook out and offer hot dogs and hamburgers! Come offer Fr Don and Fr Isaac a Happy Birthday!  

Fr. Don and the Just Believers, June 11, 2016



The Just Believers performed about a dozen pieces last night to an enthusiastic crowd.  Great meal, fun time

Thursday, June 2, 2016

It is June

It has been a year since Julie has been back in Colorado and I was reflecting on May 30 a year ago.  (back post here)  

Personally, since last May, I am now able to eat and my appetite has returned.  Last year at this time, I was not sleeping very well, and now that problem too has somewhat dissipated.  My relationship with the Lord is stronger, perhaps through much more prayer.  And I became Catholic!

Julie has been hospitalized four times over these past 12 months, with another one upcoming.  She continues to live, and dare I say, thrive in her new environment. Caregivers, now friends, yesterday took her across the street for a meal out.  She loves that.  How kind these women are and continue to be.  After a long shift, they all gathered round and wheeled her not only to the hospice restaurant, but also for a blood draw at the nearby health care office.  They went above and beyond their manor duties.

This is a picture of Julie on Tuesday.  And one of Mercy.



Last year it was if I were just going through the motions of daily living, but now I am painting again.  Usually on Wednesdays at the manor, but sometimes at home as well.


Yesterday I made German Chocolate Pie (Pinterest link here). Gene is making bread and a main dish since tonight we are having dinner with two couples from the neighborhood.  Last year, I did not have the energy for entertaining.  Another positive change since last summer, energy-wise, that is, as Gene continues to share and provide with his excellent cooking abilities.

In two weeks, several residents from the manor are coming over with the activity director and several staff, now friends, for an afternoon tea.  We are scouring up hats for party time for the women to wear; they look forward to a few hours away from the manor, and I want to make it special. 
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/159455643035811694/source

Life is returning to a new normal.  God is good.


And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
(2 Corinthians 9:8)