Monday, June 28, 2010
Storytelling for Midsummer Magic
Saturday, June 26, would have been my and Rocky's 34th wedding anniversary. I knew it would be an emotional day for me, so I asked my granddaughter to come be with me. I had planned to take her to dinner, but better yet we were invited to a storytelling party in Jonesborough.
One of my new friends, Pam Miller, had been celebrating Mid-Summers Night on the closest June Saturday for the past few years in which her visitors would read from Shakespeare's Mid-Summer Night's Dream in Pam's backyard garden. This year she decided to switch it to a storytelling event and asked tellers to choose something appropriate to fairies or nature or fairytales. I was one of the tellers as was my friends, Molly Catron, and Linda Poland, and a couple new folks I had not met before.
I was dependent on my iPhone for pictures because I couldn't find my Canon before I left the house. So I did not get pictures of Pam's charming "Fairy Tale Cottage." So I'll describe what I could see of it because the living room was full of people on folding chairs mixed in with antique furniture Pam has been collecting for years. First her front porch was hung with buntings of white gauzy muslin and mini lights. The winding path to the cottage which is well set back from the Main Street of Jonesborough was lined with solar lights which her family had brought to her for their annual summer visit. The feel of the living room was light and airy with crystal chandelier pulls, cut-glass lamps, white walls, white curtains edged with cutwork, a white brick fireplace with a mantel holding numerous glass candlesticks with lit white candles. Red and white wine was served in old American glass footed tumblers. The dining room table held snack foods, drinks, and light desserts. Books of fairytales were abundant lying on the sofa table, desk, and coffee table.
As soon as Jessica and I entered, we were crowned with a tiara wreath of lavender, so that delicious fragrance delighted us for the rest of the evening. My wreath now hangs on the cupboard in my private bathroom and should stay freshly aromatic for the rest of the summer.
One of my new friends, Pam Miller, had been celebrating Mid-Summers Night on the closest June Saturday for the past few years in which her visitors would read from Shakespeare's Mid-Summer Night's Dream in Pam's backyard garden. This year she decided to switch it to a storytelling event and asked tellers to choose something appropriate to fairies or nature or fairytales. I was one of the tellers as was my friends, Molly Catron, and Linda Poland, and a couple new folks I had not met before.
This is Pam Miller, Hostess
I was dependent on my iPhone for pictures because I couldn't find my Canon before I left the house. So I did not get pictures of Pam's charming "Fairy Tale Cottage." So I'll describe what I could see of it because the living room was full of people on folding chairs mixed in with antique furniture Pam has been collecting for years. First her front porch was hung with buntings of white gauzy muslin and mini lights. The winding path to the cottage which is well set back from the Main Street of Jonesborough was lined with solar lights which her family had brought to her for their annual summer visit. The feel of the living room was light and airy with crystal chandelier pulls, cut-glass lamps, white walls, white curtains edged with cutwork, a white brick fireplace with a mantel holding numerous glass candlesticks with lit white candles. Red and white wine was served in old American glass footed tumblers. The dining room table held snack foods, drinks, and light desserts. Books of fairytales were abundant lying on the sofa table, desk, and coffee table.
This is my close friend, Molly Catron. Molly is serving the wine here, not chugging it down!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Getting Used To the Changes
I went out only once last week, and that was to the Medical Center to have a SSEP test ordered by the Neuro-orthopedist who I haven't actually met yet. I guess he wants to see my bones and nervous system on the inside of my skin before he sees me face to face.
I had never heard of such a test before or know anyone who has had one. So I didn't know what to expect. The only instructions before hand were to wash my hair the night before, not to use any gels or sprays on it until after the test, not to drink any caffeine, and bring a driver. The last instruction made me speculate that I would be sedated.
Not so. The Tech said that I wouldn't have needed a driver and she didn't know why they keep telling people that! But my good friend, Molly, had picked me up and driven me and now during this 2-hour test, she was out running errands, including dropping my new Miele vacuum cleaner off at the repair shop.
(Somehow the handle broke ending up with a huge crack in its seams.)
I asked why the test would take so long. The Tech said the length varies with the person. It is an "averaging test" she said, and only one area can be tested at a time until there's enough data gathered to figure an average. Then the Tech can move on to another area. There were four areas to test with the elctrodes they pasted to my left ankle, right ankle, left forearm, and right forearm. However, they pasted lots more electrodes around my body, to my legs, arms, back, neck, chest, and head; in fact, several to my head.
What is this testing, I asked, what are they trying to find out? The answer was that they want info about whether the spinal cord is doing its job of being the central dispatcher of the nervous system. The question has arisen because I have an extreme case of scoliosis, curvature of the spine, and doctors are speculating that my spine is pressing against my lungs which is causing me severe shortness of breath.
The four "special" electrodes are stimulated with heat that then travels on down the nerve to the extremities. Because I have been retaining some fluid recently that collects around my ankles, it took longer for the heat to work its way through the "water." But overall, the test took only a little more than 90 minutes. Having heat slowly move through your nerves was not comfortable, but it wasn't unbearable. Just tedious--I almost fell asleep a couple times. Which was good because it meant I was relaxed.
I don't have the results yet and may not have them until I finally see Dr. Lorio on August 12. I've seen his Nurse Practitioner, but not the doctor, the "spine man." I've already had the MRI that was ordered. I asked how long the spine man would give me to discuss my case, and was told, "15 minutes."
"What?!" I cried, "he's going to tell me my diagnosis, and discuss my options and relevant treatment plans, all in 15 minutes?" He can do it, I was told, because he'll have reviewed my chart (oh, yeah!) and looked at my test results.
Even though he's a surgeon and I willingly am going to see him, I am NOT having surgery on my spine. I don't care how talented he is and how state-of-the-art his techniques are, I'm NOT having spinal surgery. Not at my age. Unh, unh.
So, I'll keep you posted. I'm calling every week to see if he's had any cancellations so I can move that appointment closer if possible.
But that was the only reason I went out last week. Sunday, I did drive over to Abingdon to see my best friend's newly remodeled kitchen. We visited and drank tea for an hour or so and laid some plans for the holidays of the summer.
My only vacation plans are for a trip to Indianapolis in mid-August to attend my grandson's Drum and Bugle Corps contest finals. And, excitedly I tell you, my Abingdon friend and I are researching some plans to go to Taos, New Mexico over Labor Day. That will be a real adventure and I hope it comes to pass.
I had never heard of such a test before or know anyone who has had one. So I didn't know what to expect. The only instructions before hand were to wash my hair the night before, not to use any gels or sprays on it until after the test, not to drink any caffeine, and bring a driver. The last instruction made me speculate that I would be sedated.
Not so. The Tech said that I wouldn't have needed a driver and she didn't know why they keep telling people that! But my good friend, Molly, had picked me up and driven me and now during this 2-hour test, she was out running errands, including dropping my new Miele vacuum cleaner off at the repair shop.
(Somehow the handle broke ending up with a huge crack in its seams.)
I asked why the test would take so long. The Tech said the length varies with the person. It is an "averaging test" she said, and only one area can be tested at a time until there's enough data gathered to figure an average. Then the Tech can move on to another area. There were four areas to test with the elctrodes they pasted to my left ankle, right ankle, left forearm, and right forearm. However, they pasted lots more electrodes around my body, to my legs, arms, back, neck, chest, and head; in fact, several to my head.
What is this testing, I asked, what are they trying to find out? The answer was that they want info about whether the spinal cord is doing its job of being the central dispatcher of the nervous system. The question has arisen because I have an extreme case of scoliosis, curvature of the spine, and doctors are speculating that my spine is pressing against my lungs which is causing me severe shortness of breath.
The four "special" electrodes are stimulated with heat that then travels on down the nerve to the extremities. Because I have been retaining some fluid recently that collects around my ankles, it took longer for the heat to work its way through the "water." But overall, the test took only a little more than 90 minutes. Having heat slowly move through your nerves was not comfortable, but it wasn't unbearable. Just tedious--I almost fell asleep a couple times. Which was good because it meant I was relaxed.
I don't have the results yet and may not have them until I finally see Dr. Lorio on August 12. I've seen his Nurse Practitioner, but not the doctor, the "spine man." I've already had the MRI that was ordered. I asked how long the spine man would give me to discuss my case, and was told, "15 minutes."
"What?!" I cried, "he's going to tell me my diagnosis, and discuss my options and relevant treatment plans, all in 15 minutes?" He can do it, I was told, because he'll have reviewed my chart (oh, yeah!) and looked at my test results.
Even though he's a surgeon and I willingly am going to see him, I am NOT having surgery on my spine. I don't care how talented he is and how state-of-the-art his techniques are, I'm NOT having spinal surgery. Not at my age. Unh, unh.
So, I'll keep you posted. I'm calling every week to see if he's had any cancellations so I can move that appointment closer if possible.
But that was the only reason I went out last week. Sunday, I did drive over to Abingdon to see my best friend's newly remodeled kitchen. We visited and drank tea for an hour or so and laid some plans for the holidays of the summer.
My only vacation plans are for a trip to Indianapolis in mid-August to attend my grandson's Drum and Bugle Corps contest finals. And, excitedly I tell you, my Abingdon friend and I are researching some plans to go to Taos, New Mexico over Labor Day. That will be a real adventure and I hope it comes to pass.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Flower Gardening
For several days, I've been getting my exercise by pulling some weeds in the flower beds. Here are some pictures of my new Asiatic lilies.
They make easy arrangements to bring into the house. A stalk will have one or two flowers and 4-6 buds so they continue to open in a vase.
There are still a few in the garden yet to bloom.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
My New Journey Begins
Today is June 1, and I opened my copy of Rich With Years, Daily Meditations on Growing Older and discovered June 1 was turned down with a dog ear. Evidently, I had been impressed with it last year and wanted to note it and had no pencil available. Here's part of what it says: "I want to keep trying, take risks, keep going, experiment with life, undertake new ventures, and find fresh challenges."
Well, that doesn't seem to be the PROPER thing to do while mourning! But I put PROPER aside way back in the '60's. Rocky made the observation about me once that I like challenges. Oh, not sky diving or getting a medical degree, but problem-solving or organizing or producing a new group, a new venue, a new story. Some fresh interest; some fresh insight; a new friendship. I think he was right.
But I do have a background in social work so I realize that taking care of myself now involves expressing all the emotions I currently have and not allowing new challenges to distract me. I am choosing no time table and making no big decisions. And no obligations other than feed my pets and pay my bills. I want to have plenty of time available to deal with the grief that I feel and will continue to feel for awhile.
Writing in the Caring Bridge journal was very therapeutic for me, but I am finished there for now. This Blog and my own personal Journal (the one on my word processor that no one else sees) become my current writing outlets.
However, I feel there are some loose ends to be tied up before this Blog will feel complete for me. And those loose ends involve some pictures, so let's see if I can upload them into the blog and not have to put them in a side-bar.
Of course, Rocky's illness and death account for much of the time away from this Blog, but during that time and especially in May after his death, Castle Yonder and I had several visitors. The first was my niece, Rosalie from Ohio, and her daughter, my Great-Niece Annette from Michigan who came to visit the last weekend of April.
Well, that doesn't seem to be the PROPER thing to do while mourning! But I put PROPER aside way back in the '60's. Rocky made the observation about me once that I like challenges. Oh, not sky diving or getting a medical degree, but problem-solving or organizing or producing a new group, a new venue, a new story. Some fresh interest; some fresh insight; a new friendship. I think he was right.
But I do have a background in social work so I realize that taking care of myself now involves expressing all the emotions I currently have and not allowing new challenges to distract me. I am choosing no time table and making no big decisions. And no obligations other than feed my pets and pay my bills. I want to have plenty of time available to deal with the grief that I feel and will continue to feel for awhile.
Writing in the Caring Bridge journal was very therapeutic for me, but I am finished there for now. This Blog and my own personal Journal (the one on my word processor that no one else sees) become my current writing outlets.
However, I feel there are some loose ends to be tied up before this Blog will feel complete for me. And those loose ends involve some pictures, so let's see if I can upload them into the blog and not have to put them in a side-bar.
Of course, Rocky's illness and death account for much of the time away from this Blog, but during that time and especially in May after his death, Castle Yonder and I had several visitors. The first was my niece, Rosalie from Ohio, and her daughter, my Great-Niece Annette from Michigan who came to visit the last weekend of April.
Rosalie and Annette
April 25, 2010
On May 5, Rocky's son, Geoffrey, arrived from Georgia and stayed through May 23. Here he is with his son, our grandson, Christopher who is all dressed up due to a concert in Lynchburg, VA that Geoff and I took time out to attend.
Geoff and Christopher
May 21, 2010
Our grandaughter, Jessica, was there also sitting next to me and in my thoughtless state of mind I didn't turn and snap a pic of her!
Of course, the Celebration Of Rocky's Life (in lieu of a funeral) brought several of our family members from Ohio, North Carolina, South Carolina, Boston and Philadelphia. I don't have a lot of pictures yet as I took very few that day. Here are my two sons, Alan and Eric, flanking my nephew-in-law, Leslie.
From left, Alan from Philadelphia;
Leslie from near Toledo; and
Eric from Boston
May 23, 2010
Me with my nephew, Marv, who is from North Carolina.
Marv had a stroke about 3 years ago which has
very much altered his life as a successful businessman.
My son-in-law, Armas, and son, Alan.
May 23, 2010
I just realized that these photos that I did take are all of males! Hmmmmm!
There were a lot of female worker bees keeping the hors d'ouvres and punch flowing from the kitchen out to the carport where the tables were set up. They also prettied Castle Yonder up by supplying their own garden flowers for flower arrangements. My best friends, Jean and Molly, and my niece, Rosalie,
did most of the work. Molly also constructed a Power Point presentation of Rocky's life in old photographs that could be viewed in the carport. Her husband, Wayne, transported guests from the parking lot of the church one mile away from us back and forth on our one-lane curvy road leading to CY.
There's no picture here of my grandaughter, Jessica, although I did see some that were taken by Alan on his Flip video camera. He left them for me on my computer's desktop but I haven't taken the time to import them into my photo software so I can access them singly.
My VASA friend, Norris, from Virginia Beach drove over for the Celebration and then stayed on with me for a week. Here she is:
Norris at Castle Yonder, May 26, 2010
Norris is wonderfully easy to have as a house guest. One of my other friends calls her an "angel," since she goes where needed and is always ready to help. All of my friends, both male and female, have been angels for me and Geoff through these past two months. They are:
Jean, Molly, Rudy, Leigh Ann, Jack, Rosalie, Diana, Paul,
Organizations that fall into the "angel" category are first and foremost,
Wellmont Hospice House staff and Don McGregor, Bereavement Counselor
Susan Early, Social Worker, Bristol Regional Medical Center
J. R. Gilmer, Elder, Beulah Land Baptist Church
David Wilson, Director, Goosepimple Junction Adventure Camp
Pitching in to be part of the Celebration Of Rocky's Life Memorial service was
Leon Overbay, Isaac Freeman, Pat Musselman, Molly Catron, Paul Conco,
Bill Marburg, Tineke Labrie
And then, how interesting LIFE works out. My best friend from Garrett, IN high school, Sue and her husband, Wayne, were attending a conference in Knoxville and drove two hours north to Bristol to spend just about two hours visiting me on May 25 and then they drove two hours back to Knoxville. How sweet it is, and here they are:
Sue and Wayne at Castle Yonder
May 25, 2010
Attendees at the Celebration said they felt like Rocky's spirit was all around Castle Yonder during the day. I think he visited us the next day, too!
Rainbow Over Castle Yonder, May 24, 2010
"Until we meet again, Rocky!"
Mimi
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)