Bikers, next gen

We rested up yesterday morning after mashing on the yard for the previous two days. The mate got the 10.00 mower running and it just rams! Totally cool!

We got the yard done, a new patch put in for gadiolias out front, all 50 of the bulbs in and watered down, and moved a tiny tree I had mis-located.

I gave up looking and planted the herbs in the garden area. I wanted something to wheel them inside for winters but I guess I have to build one, couldn't find one. I put the two lavenders, spearmint, peppermint and lemon balm just out from the two thymes (told the mate I have LOTS of time now!) and those just out from the baby maple. All this on the north west corner of the garden. I put the two basil, sage and oregano in another row where the brocolli was coming in too thin.

I added a clemetis to the side garden and still have some hollyhock and morning glories to plant. I may get a few more sets from town, maybe some giant red canna lillies or something to put on the ends of the glads out front.

For Monday we got up and took it easy. I rode behind the mate over to Cee's for her birthday. We left here just as the Tiny Parade for Memorial Day ended and got to her town just as their parade ended. She just had her driveway redone and it was very improved. Most people just avoid her place in the spring, even the 4WD crowd. She had a new black mini baby and a new palamino pinto mini baby this spring. They were beauty. She also has yorkies and had kept a female that was larger instead of smaller and I fell hard for her, I hate little yappy dogs but this girl looked like she had a brain! GG was also very mellow for a yorkie.

The neice, nephews, spouses and kids were all there. It was good to see them. The two bikers brought their bikes. The visiting was good, the mini human accidents minimal, decent food and great fun was had by all. Mom will be sorry she missed it but she isn't back from FL yet.

Later that evening the biker neph, niece and mates came over to get some parts I had for one of them. Great trade, he gets bags and trunk, I get garage painted. Then they asked about leathers. I went in and pulled four coats that all needed zippers out and gave them the ones they liked with name of place that will fix zippers. They were all tickled. I was glad to see someone get them that would use them.

I didn't pull a weed or plant a bush all day.

Night out

We have had a great day so far. I have always spent what I call "God Money". That means that if I saw a need I got it filled and wrote it off to the debt I owe for guardian angel duty. We began a dedicated tithing experiment several weeks ago and have been impressed with the results.

Today we discussed to whom and how much we needed send money to for us to keep the 10% commitment we made. We paid all the bills, then reached a mutually agreeable solution, as we almost always do. The money was set aside.

Then it was time to wash the 1,487 miles worth of dirt and southern bugs off the black bike. I had just joined him and started on the buggy radiator when the mate mentioned the neighbor was having a sale. To be true to myself I had to put the scrubber down, beg some money off the mate and run across the street. Rumor was the lady neighbor was getting married again. I comfirmed this with her while looking at some real deals.

I spent 30.00. Get this. I got a Craftsman 30" riding mower, a small G.F. Grill, a wooden plaque with brass horses on it for the sister's bday Sunday, a 6/12 volt battery charger and a brand new 26" kitchen cabinet on wheels with a top cupboard unit. AARRRGGGHHH! I got us a great deal today....or the one we tithe to did.

We have a fair sized lawn and it gets to be winter here in Michigan too often. We have been wanting a second mower so we could leave the snowblower on the 36" riding mower. It's getting harder for us to manage changing it over as I can't lift like I used to when I was healthier. The mate is out right now getting the new battery and cables for the 30" 5 speed riding mower. The previous owner came over and told us he bought it to do a friend's yard when she was laid up. When she died it just sat in his storage area. The choke had a problem, the air filter needs replaced and the gas was old. The battery cables were so corroded that the end broke off one of them when we disconnected it. It's all fixed but the parts aren't back yet. Just have to put them on and change out the gas, then clean the carbs.

We have both started eating healthy again since my heart attack and we both are working on losing some weight. Now we get the help of George Formans must have invention! (is mostly joke) I cut the fat off everything now but what is left will cook out and drain off, mostly. Should be (ick) good for us.

I get to rearrange the living, dining and kitchen to get the cabinet in but it will be much nicer for all of us when I do. I have been wanting to do this to make the dining area bigger and get my wonderful machine further from the kitchen area. My desk won't take up so much room in the living room under the window.

I can put the dry sink with the table it matches in the dining area with the fancy dishes in it and OUT of the 9' high cupboards and put up the new curtains I'm having made. The kitchen will be easier to organize with the extra counterspace and cupboards. WooHooo! PARTY!

And no, I can't see any reason to attribute this to anything but the tithe. I never have this kind of luck at sales. My sis always does. Do the math. Whatever I got today would have cost me way more than we gave away. I challange anyone to say out loud, "I am going to donate 10% of my income to where God (which ever one you believe in) directs me. Then find a needy family or charity, listen to the little voice in your head for ideas and watch for results! It's been awesome!

We went out to dinner and then saw Star Wars. I have some issues with it but over all it was a good movie. The special effects were somewhat over the top, I think, but wtf, it's his story and he's sticking to it.

On the way home we stopped to visit a friend we hadn't seen in a while. That was fun! She has her home almost finished and her gardens are overwelming, especially when you realize she works full time and does it all herself.

So it's Sunday, I don't have to work tomorrow and we are going to work on the yard today. Plan is to wack off the bushes in the front so the wild climing rose gets some sun, plant the 30 glads, water the gardens as it still hasn't rained, mow the lawn, clean the dog pen, and spray weed killer on the fence line and the patio corner I just dug all the bulbs out of yesterday. Then I will see if I can still walk and try to get the herbs planted.

Gotta go plant flowers now!

Reunion

If you know me you will have guessed I blew off work Friday, just because I could do it with pay and have a four day weekend. I asked the boss if I really needed to work on Friday, he said, no, take it off if I wanted. Yay!

I ran for town, got smokes then spent a couple hours digging through the plants at two locations for the herb garden and the rest of the veggies I wanted. I would have been wasted at work anyway, as I was on the phone with the step sis till midnight listening to how great her day was for the first time in forever. She had gotten the job she has been working toward for 3 years, passed all the tests and physicals with flying colors and is in a secure work/home life taking care of an older man who needs assistance with his daily life. She picked up a night job to cover the part time status where she will be starting today. Go girl!

And I had to call the sis, Cee, to tell her the latest on the Mom saga. She had horrors as all the horses, where she helps a friend with her home, have come down with what they hope is a cold and what could be worse. The friend lost the most beautiful gypsy vanner filly. She was just dead for no apparent reason. It so sucks but the friend is 70 and has too many beautiful animals to care for on her income. If anyone reads this and knows someone that would like some beautiful, imported bloodlines, registered spotted draft horses, gypsy vanners, drum horses or beautiful, sweet natured shire horses, PLEASE send them the link to Aldershire Farm. She has to sell these animals when we have them healthy again, and she has no choice but to let them go cheaply. She hasn't the strenght or the money to care for all of them properly.

I was also on the phone with the mate's oldest daughter to let her know the Dad was ok and visiting her favorite aunt in KY. Found out the mates youngest was dealing with marriage issues and then had to call her and find out if she needed anything.

I got a few chores done and the bike ride in for several laps but mostly the night was spent keeping up with family.

I got up, enjoyed a lazy coffee while I read the blogs and got the email. I got around and dressed for riding the big bike. Went to the store, got the mail then I headed for town to put the payday in the bank.

It was lovely out but as soon as I crested the first hill I spotted a big line of heavy, grey rain clouds hanging right where I had to go. I thought about turning back but decided to screw it, it's just water. I took a southern route to try and get around it but still got douched for about 9 miles of the trip and dripped on for the rest of the time I was in town.

I lagged at the drive up, taking my time filling out slip and sending it up the magic tube to let more of the clouds pass. When I got the receipt there was someone behind me so I picked up the tempo a little and scooted down to the first gas station with an over hang. I put a whole 3.85 in the tank, got a cup of coffee, read the notice board and just generally stalled until there was some blue sky showing and the rain quit.

I got back on the bike and did a little tour of the old houses. The yellow house is white but the garage is still the same old mustard color it was when I was little. The church at the bottom of the hill has put up a fence which would seriously interfer with sledding. Bummer.
The white house is yellow now, too, but with aluminum siding. The church behind it must have bought the house for the pastor as the parking lot goes right up to the garage now. No yard left at all, hardly.

I went by my friend's house, the twins, hoping to find them gathered for the holiday but there was no one around. I'd like to find (oh crap, I want to post her real name so if she's wandering through blog land she might find me......ok, maiden name only) Leslie Harris. We were good friends in school, she lost her twin in a car accident years ago and I miss them both. Would love to catch up with her again.

I decided to see if another friend was in, just to let the rain get good and gone. She was and we yacked in the driveway for a few minutes. I urged her to get over to visit then looked at the sky, decided to head south as I was going to the Mom's to check the cats.

I went down and stopped at TRB Motorcycle Repairs in Saranac. There was a yard sale next door so I went through books there and got a couple, bungied them on the luggage carrier and booked for Moms. I check the stupid cats (another story) and went for the house but took the long way as the skies had cleared and I was enjoying the time on my bike.

I went by the graveyard and visited with my brother and Dad. I stopped by another friend's house and visited with him and his son came by, used to be my landlord, years ago. Caught up with what he's doing. Cruised by the pond that the DNR has destroyed again. Went past the lake I used to meet the mate at and his old home and finally went home. I got in, ate a bowl of cereal, was just going out to mow the yard and the mate pulled in the drive way.

Little sneak made it home from louieville in eight hours! I hadn't planned on him being here until three when he was supposed to find me dutifully mowing the lawn. He brought me a shell box from Florida, a FL and a GA rock, forgot the KY one.

He loved the mountain north of Chattanooga and the valley that followed so much he is setting up a ride there for his pals and going back again this summer! For you bikers out there that is 127 North and DON'T haul a trailer through there!

We spent the rest of the day unloading, eating and resting. I got nothing done. Nice! Went to bed around nine thirty, he was beat!

The Great Divide

The mate was going to run the Mom down to see the sister, Vee, in further south, Florida but she is coming up on the weekend. This released him from his duties as chauffer and companion. He packed up and left yesterday after getting to sleep for a whole 7 hours in a real bed.

The Mom is with her very good friend that she hasn't seen in many years and the reports say they only quit talking when they fell asleep with their eyes open at the table. (joke!)

So the mate toured Daytona, said enough already to the heat, humidity, bugs, snakes and reptiles. He and the now clean and shiney Midnight Venture landed in Carterville, GA last night. He called and we talked. He's just dandy and will be scooting around in KY most likely tonight. He said the Mom would call me later that evening.

Well, I was beat when I got home. I got a dish of healthy, double chocolate almond ice cream and sat down to catch a horse movie I had never seen. I like Walter Brennan. When that wound up and I had talked to the mate yet again, I went out to move more flowers.

I got the gardens all hoed and watered, cleared out another wheelbarrow full of weeds, watered in all the plants I moved and planted some more marigolds. Then I jumpped on the bike and did 4 laps of 4 blocks that took me past the cow farm. They look at you funny when you moo at them, I thought Moo Coo might laugh at that. There were two brown cows in with all the black and white ones. They didn't like "how now brown cow" mooed at them, either.

Then it was almost dark. I went back in, did a load of wash, got my shower, fussed with the dishes and put the coffee on for morning. I love my coffee pot with a timer on it! Mom never called so I stayed up till 11:00 then gave up on her.

I was just thinking about jumping on the big bike and heading south as I just remembered it's a holiday weekend and I could take a four day. Now I don't know if I am fit enough to pull it off. My dislocated tail bone mandates many stretch stops, my moon friend joined me yesterday, and my legs hurt from riding the little bike. I would also have to find a dog sitter. All the nephews have grown up and the grands are too little to be alone out here (their mom says....)

Will I work tomorrow or not? Will I sneak up on the mate or not? Will I stay home and move more flowers? Don't miss the next episode!

Road Trip!

My first contact with the wandering mate and the Mom was via answering machine about 7:00 p.m. You should keep in mind that I said yesterday around 5 p.m. that they should be in Tennesse by then. (Am I good? :) )

"If you were home you would have gotten this phone call! It's 6 o'clock. We are 18 miles north of Nashville and it's bumper to bumper. Love you!"

I called the cell and he actually had it on and answered it. They were now THREE miles north of Nashville, in an hour! He said Mom nagged at him to let her take a turn driving. Note: she didn't sleep well the night before, is riding in a "sleeps 6" motor home and won't sleep while they are moving. He finally let her. After about 45 minutes he noticed they were drifting off the road a little, then a little more, "HEY, Mom! We're going off the road!!" and she jerks awake. "Next rest stop, pull over" he says firmly!

I can't believe that's all he said. What restraint. It's only the most expensive and paid off bike he's ever owned on the trailer! Needless to say, now HE won't sleep while they're moving, either.

So the 2 humans of doubtful intelligence made it to Somelittletown in Southern Georgia before calling it a day.

For myself, I went by Mom's to check the cats, stopped at the foster sister's to tell her the travelers were ok, taught her 5 year old how to read a gutiar chord chart and which fingers went with which numbers, filled the truck up and went home.

I tossed in a load of clothes, moved some daffodiles and a tulip, rested, swapped the laundry to the dryer, went out and rode my bike up to the pavement. The grater came down our road today and all the gravel is soft and stirred up about 4 inches deep. I found an almost level spot and went 4 blocks down and back twice then stopped to visit with the neighbors for a while before I rode the rest of the way home.

Finished the laundry, did dishes, made coffee for morning, watched a MASH and crashed.

DAY TWO: I hate, I hate, I HATE cell phones. At least when the transmission is all white noise. Mate called me at 7a.m. quipping,"Wake up call!" but I was up already, HA! They had found a roadside park to camp in and were getting ready to roll.

I got around and went to work. Let sis Cee and step sis Tee know Ma was ok. Had another call about 3 p.m. saying they had arrived. Another about 4:30 saying they had the bike un-loaded safely (Thank you God!) and he said he would call me the next day.

So, for some strange reason I believed him. When I got home I went out and finished (?it's never DONE) weeding Warf's garden and moved some daffodiles. Then I realized I was feeling punky and funky so I went across the street and told the neighbor kid what I have told everyone else. If you help me move my flowers I will split them with you 40 - 60. He came right over, we finished digging out that corner and I showed him how to plant them. He went home and I laid in about 2 dozen in a nice, weed free area.

So I skipped the bike ride and went in for a cool beverage and some drip dry time. There was a message, it was the mate, I don't know what he said because of the static. I tried to call but got the voice mail. "Don't leave me a message and then turn off the phone!!! I love you." I tried to get the number where Mom was, unlisted. She took the contact list AND the rolodex with her! ARRRGGHH!

Still no call today so I don't know what the mate's up to or the Mom. I guess I will have to wait and be surprised.

Stay tuned.

annnd they're OFF

The Mate had been up since 4 and had double checked his route, got his email, had two cups of coffee, fed and watered the animals for the last time for awhile and nudged me to get me moving.

I got up at 5 today. Whoopie Doopie. I dragged out, put on my clothes, filled my biggest to go with coffee and grabbed the bag of stuff that somehow Mom still needed for the drivable house, reminded mate to grab the ice for her cooler, put the critters out and hit the door running.

The mate drove while I caught up with my caffine and nicotine needs. It was supposed to be clear but it was raining. We were there precisely at 5:45. There were no lights showing but the porch light went on out back as we pulled up.

I told him she was running around in the dark, like I do. Really she got half dressed and fell back to sleep. I started packing the cooler, bagging the odds and ends still to be loaded into plastic bags because of the rain while the mate went to see if the thing would start.

I got the thermos filled with coffee, the cooler filled to the rim and sent Mate out with them. I grabbed some more stuff and another bag of ice to load in the refridgerator then went back for another load leaving the mate firmly planted in the drivers seat to avoid any further discussion on who was sitting there at 6 in the morning after she hadn't rested well.

I got the rest of the stuff and ran it out, tucked it in, tied it down, packed it tight, and closed it up. I just got finished when the Mom crawled in the door with her purse and a to go of mini breakfast rolls.

We showed her how to use the fancy pump thermos and got her settled in with a cup of coffee, I kissed the mate, hugged the Mom and got out, put the step back and shut the door.

The huge contraption full of breakable dishes, glass jars of mayo, and two of the few people I ove in this world rolled out the gate. The trailer still sat at too steep an angle to make me happy, it bounced pretty good going over the little dip in the edge of the road. All I could think was he better only do about 45 mph or it would bounce hard enough to flip that baby right over and God keep them from pot holes on just one wheel of the trailer.

I locked up the gate, the house and turned off the lights, got into the little Chevy and went home.

It's 5 now, they ought to be in Tennesee by now, Good Lord willing and the creek didn't rise. I'm going home to wait for my first report around 10 tonight. I think I will ride first, then pull weeds and then eat.

Wish them luck and say a little prayer for the Mom and the Mate as they head south. Thank you.

Hit the road, Jack

Whew, what a weekend! After work Friday the mate and I went through all the gardens to have them under control for me while he is on vacation in the south for the next however many days he can stand to be away from home.

When we had them done and got rested up we went on our bike ride. I stuck to 6 blocks again but the burn was so bad on the last hill the pain made me stop before I could even coast to the driveway. Michigan may be many things but it is NOT flat. Which ever way I ride from the house it's got at least two hills to climb.

"Burn is good" mate says, standing in for grumpy coach I don't have, "You have to tear up the muscles to grow the muscles."

"Ya, right," I grouse at him as I pedal in slow-motion with every muscle in my legs screaming. But I made it, again. Come on weight loss! Come back waist line! I chant this in time to my pedals.

When that was over we finished the laundry so he could get packed. Then he watched some tube while I started chopping and preping ruhbarb for our famous ruhbarb crunch. Then I discovered that I had run out of flour. I threw up my hands, packed the stuff in covered cake pans and went to join him for a while before we crashed out.

Saturday it was get up early, drink coffee, admire oriels eating at oranges, humming birds on feeders, Rose Breasted Gross Beak on bird bath, marvel at the Hairy Woodpecker that we haven't seen since the winter before last and pat ourselves on the back that the pair of RBGB and the TWO pair of Oriels have stayed more than a week now (15 minutes, ONE cup of coffee).

Then the mate got ROMANTIC! The wife that can say no to a husband when he is leaving for an unspecified time isn't related to me. I can hardly ever tell him no. I'm glad I didn't this time. Risking TMI, we had an encounter that left us both going, "Wow, we are GOOOD!" He left me weak kneed and gasping for air! What a lover!

He went to get his tools together for the next project while I pulled up the rugs and all of the towels from the bath room and tossed them into the washer, swept from there to the dining room, scoured the tub, toilet and sink with the nice bleach cleaner I found cheap, mopped the floors and collapased in a pile of sweat and steamy glasses to cram down my second cuppa before we had to leave.

It was only 9:45 when we rolled out with a load of stuff to put in the trailer and to get the lights wired up. Normally I don't move on Saturday before noon, it's my lazy day. We spent an hour and discovered the lights would not work, even with an adapter plug. It took the help of the step sister, Tee. Him on volt meter, me at controls of the motorhome, sis checking trailer lights. Mate discovered Mom hadn't gotten a gas cap and rushed off to correct that in town. I stayed and chatted with Tee. We don't see each other very often. We worked on the motorhome while we yacked. She was cleaning, I was arranging and putting up contact paper.

Mate got back with correct part and we boogied off to the store for FLOUR, oatmeal, lunch supplies and dog food. He didn't want me to haul the 50# bags without help, bless his soul! We couldn't dink around because the #1 Son and Wife were coming around 2:00.

We got the groceries put away, I was going to do dishes and started finishing the crunch. He ran the vaccuum, only it wouldn't go. I used to sell them and we have two used ones so he went to get the other power head while I blasted the hoses clear, dumped the canister, put in a new filter and checked the belts. Second power head wouldn't pick up, either. Hmmmm? Well, I did the math and came up with plugged up power head. Had him hand me a screw driver and shoved my finger down the connecting pipe to see what was what.

I encountered fur. No real surprise there. We have two dogs and two cats, one of each is mine and long haired, otherwise known as the "biggest and the fuzziest" of their litters. That's the way, uh huh, I like it, big and fuzzy, soft and warm, cuddly. The power head feeds through both sides of the pipe. The whole cross pipe was clogged with hair and fur.

I had the mate turn on the machine, I would hack and slash with the screw driver and he would slide the hose over the pipe to free up and remove what I had chopped loose. Repeated a million times for each power head. We finally cleared out about 2 cats worth of fur and hair and had two working power heads again.

I rushed back to finish the dishes, get the crunch in the oven, wipe off the counters, clean the sink and wipe off the table. We finished about 1:30, yay us!

The boy called about one asking if we were still expecting them. I told him no, we were cleaning house for no reason at all. Being brilliant, (he is my son) he answered, "Oh. I guess that means you ARE especting us." :)

It took longer than they planned to pack up everything for the garlic and rosemary chicken breast with lemon, the cheesy mashed potatoes, vegetable, lemon chiffon pie the boy made and the 5 month old #2 granddaughter. They got there about 3:00.

#1 daughter in law made a delish meal! I chatted, lent a hand as I felt like it and watched "Water World" while she cooked. Lemon zest from scratch, real rosemary, (I snatched a couple stems to see if I could start some plants), fresh garlic, skinless breast of chicken, real mashed potatoes with sour cream and cheddar cheese, a real labor of love. What a nice Mothers Day treat! Yum, yum!

#2 granddaughter totally amused her step grampa. She was minding her own business, growling at the toys swinging from something called and aquarium and he got right down on the floor to see what had her so wound up. She likes him, they played on and off all day.

She was cutting her first tooth, started at 4 months, like my kids did. There was a little fussing but nothing a biscut couldn't fix.

The boy shared a Robin Williams CD with us, it was funny. We all visited and enjoyed the day.

After my dad died I told the kids, no more dustables, just spend time with me, make a meal for me or work in the gardens, paint a room or something that makes a memory. They have all taken it to heart and I love knowing they will remember the fun we had.

They hung out till just before dark and wandered back to their own lives. I sent some of the ruhbarb crunch with them. We watched a movie, then got stuff out for Sunday.

Sunday we got up early, AGAIN, had our coffee, washed the mate's bike, packed the last of his supplies, got his maps and directions then called his number one daughter to ask if she and the boys could help us load the bike on the trailer. I said I was buying pizza, she said yes. (She almost always says yes, bless her heart!)

We couldn't go over till Mom was back from church so we got a little time to check the email and I caught up on a few blogs. Actually thought I would get a third! cup of coffee, wow! But then the mate got ROMANTIC! The wife that can say no to a husband when he is leaving for an unspecified time isn't related to me. I can hardly ever tell him no. I'm glad I didn't this time. Risking TMI, we had an encounter that left us both going, "Wow, we are GOOOD!" He left me weak kneed and gasping for air! What a lover! *shiver, goose bumps*

After the shower we got around some more stuff to take for the traveling house. He rode the bike, I followed in the little red Chevy Tracker. He pulled into the gas station and we filled them both up. We got to Mom's right after she walked in the door.

Mate was going to take the motorhome up to get it topped off with gas, I was setting up hose to fill water tanks. It wouldn't start. Mate came looking for me. I said I have cables in the truck and rushed off to pull in and charge him up. We finally got it started. He rolled off and even remembered to tell the place to start our pizzas.

He got back and I was ready with the water hose. It took a long time to fill the tanks. Long enough for other #1 daughter to get there with not two, but three large teen age boys to help load. They wandered through the motor home, the boys want one to go fishing with, they are just old enough that I figure they mean fishing for girls.

I turned the hose over to them to watch while I ran for the pizzas and root beer. It was just being cut as I walked in and was still hot when I got back with it. We all went inside to eat. It was an informal but fun meal and Mom enjoyed seing the boys, they hadn't been over in awhile. We dealt with one dribble glass and I tried to juggle my slice of pizza, made it through the meal with no casualties.

Then the fun started - time to load the bike. We had borrowed my sister's snowmobile trailer, a single. The fit was going to be close as the mate has a Kawasaki Royal Star Midnight Venture, a full dress tour bike. It weighs about 900 pounds. We now know it is wider and longer than a snowmobile.

The trailer could be hooked up to the hitch and then unlocked and tipped to load the bike. Two of us held the front up, three pushed with the mate on the handle bars working the brakes so we could breathe. It took 2 adults and 2 large kids to push it in and one adult and kid to hold the front end up till we were 2/3rds of the way in. Then it took 5 of us to get the trailer down and latched again.

The bike went in with the reflectors on the saddle bag guard rails abut a quarter inch from the wooden uprights. When we got the tie downs on it the cross boards curved in and made contact with the front and back guard rails. It was tied down well and tight. Mate pushed the front forks down for tightening straps there, we ran two under the whole trailer and to the back frame, he sat on the back seat for those. We bungied the foot brake on for the rear brake. There is one bungie through the front mag wheel and under the trailer bar. For good luck we put one tie down across the back of the whole trailer from eye hooks in the frame over the cross boards, around the trailer hitch on the bike, through the other side cross board and down to an eye hook in the frame.

All this was checked by three different people. Where I could get a finger under anything the other two tightened it again and re-checked it. When we were all satisfied it couldn't be done any better we stepped back to look.

The trailer hitch on the motor home is quite high and the neck of the trailer is low, for behind a car. The whole thing was tipped back at about a 16 degree angle with the back tire one bare inch from the end of the open back of the trailer.

The mate pronounced it good and the kids left. We finished cleaning up with Mom and then headed for the house. The mate was now already to go and all of us were burnt out.

When we got home we watched a "Law and Order, SVU" then took our bike ride. The mate was so tired we only did four blocks. I got the burn from the first hill. We "walked the flowers", which means we started out in front, checked out the new plantings in the side yard, filled the bird baths, walked around the double pink and standard light purple lilacs with our noses full of their sweet scent, to the vegetable garden, noted we would need lines for the peas soon, that the spinach needed thinning, the tomatoes were recovered from the frost and then viewed the circle garden to see if the seeds were sprouting, (can't tell yet), note the lilly he bought me is up, then stroll the length of the arms on Warf's garden, where I see I have to move and split some hosta, weed weed and weed some more and that there are buds on the peonies, the iris and the lillies. The white columbine is blooming and the other 4 plants of it have budded. It's a great cool down.

We watched a little tube, then he went to bed and I stayed up a little longer to see the end of the movie. I didn't sleep very well, kept dreaming someone stole the whole trailer with his wonderful motorcycle on it and I kept waking myself up trying to stop them.

Eh?

A tall man with dark hair and eyes stepped into the outer office today. I thought it was the boss back from the bank so was a little startled when he tapped on the window. He looked like a pleasant guy, slightly rumpled looking in his yellow short sleeved shirt and (ick) matching yellow slacks. I thought he would be looking for work.

I put the computer on hold, got up and slid the little window open. I asked, "Can I help you?" His lips moved and I could hear the barest whisper of garbled words.

He answered me, "I'm deaf, it's hard to talk."

"OK, what can I do for you?" I wish I could have signed it correctly but it's been 35 years since I have used the little signing I knew. I just looked right at him, spoke clearly and signed me?you?.

He fumbled in his pockets for a minute, handed me a stack of small papers and his state i.d.. I knew what they would be but check them out anyway. There was a note that said, "Hello, my name is ____ _____ and I am deaf. To raise money and help people learn to sign the alphabet I am selling these cards with the symbols on them. Please donate what ever you can and take one for your self.

I smiled at him. We had deaf kids with us at church camp one year and most of the kids had learned to sign the letters and a few "short hand" signals. We used it to talk in church without getting caught.

I had just looked them up on the web to use with a couple kids I know for educational amusement. I was going to tell them it was a code for special people and brush up while I taught them. So I didn't need the code cards.

I explained all this to him, handed his papers back and said I didn't have much but I would like to contribute. I pulled out my money. I had a five and a one, I gave him the five. He looked shocked. He said/signed "Do you know how hard this is? People can be so rude, thank you very much!"

I said/signed "Your welcome," and "good bye". He smiled again and left. I went back to work.

I'm not stupid, I know there are people that mis-use this fund raiser. I don't care. If the guy needed money bad enough to go door to door like that when I was going home to the mansion of treasures with all of my senses functioning (today anyway :)) then he needed it worse than I did.

How do you deal with this situation?

Quiz of the week

My uncle once: Went through the ice on our pond with his motorcycle. Dad slid me out on the tobaggan to put the rope on the handlebars to pull it out.
Never in my life: will I drink 17 shots of tequilla straight up, no lime, no salt again.
When I was five: I kissed the neighbor boy up in the tree under a big box we called a club house.
High School was: irrelevant to life most of the time.
I will never forget: the time I spilled a glass of kool aid on the ED. She was 4.
I once met: Hoyt Axton, ick! Willy Nelson, oh YEAH, I want to sing with him!
There's this girl I know who: has her own harley.
Once at a bar: I played and sang for 4 hours and never repeated a song.
By noon I'm usually: barely awake or wishing I was out of work.
Last night: I fell asleep on the couch and the mate took off my shoes and glasses and tucked me in.
Next time I go to church I: will be singing in the choir.
When I turn my head left, I see: the way out of here.
When I turn my head right, I see: the building across the road and an alternate way out through the window.
You know I'm lying when: I tell you so.
What I miss most about the eighties: being 35.
By this time next year: I will have shaped up myself and the gardens.
A better name for me would be: Diana, in the mythological sense.
I have a hard time understanding: cruelty. I don't get it.
You know I like you if: I don't throw you out.
Take my advice, never: tell a lie. Or a lie so big you can't remember it.
My ideal breakfast is: eggs over easy, homemade 4 grain toast, milk, coffee, juice and a book.
My real breakfast is: Yogurt, a muffin and a banana with coffee.
If you visit my hometown, I suggest: you check out the library and Riverside Park.
Why won't anyone invent: my robo house keeper!
If you spend the night at my house, be prepared to play cards!
The world could do without: Bullies.
I'd rather lick the belly of a cockroach than: I don't think so.
My favorite blonde is: Mae West
Paper clips are more useful than: roach clips.
If I do anything well, it's: luck.
I'm notorious for: foot in mouth trouble, hard to identify humor.
I brake for: horses, baby cows, yard sales, heron sightings, motorcycles and tailgaters... Don't tailgate me!
I am: a proud member of; the Val's liberation society!

Reach for the stars

If you remember "Miss Jean" then you know "Bend and stretch, reach for the stars, there goes Jupiter, There goes Mars." I got the bend and stretch down pat and was using "reach for the stars" to get my back unkinked, never saw Jupiter or Mars.

If you have been following along you know we have been working on the gardens this week as well as bicycling. We got the straw off the plants and into the rows the other day and I got the new shrubs in. When I got home yesterday I was going to pot the geraniums (red, I love red flowers and blue ones) then plant the zinnia seeds. I use seeds because when everything but the marigolds are dead and gone I have lovely banks of colorful zinnias till the first hard frost.

I have this place I call Warf's garden. It started as a shade garden but it was under an ash tree and the borers got it 2 years later so I had no shade for it. I planted some arbor day flowering trees and carried on. When my best dog ever, Lt. Warf died at 9 years old we buried him in the front and added a rock for his marker and a red maple for him to grow. Then I gussied it up and it looked like this. In the late summer it looked like this. After 3 and a half years of neglect (forgive me) I'll let you imagine what it looked like. Just add lots of knee high, healthy crab grass to your mental picture. It sucked and I hated it.

So ANYWAY, the mate was off running errands with a friend. I wanted to wait till he was back to ride so I was going to plant some zinnias yesterday and I wanted to put them on each corner of Warf's garden. I started cleaning out the corners and noticed the phlox seemed to just have a few blades of crab grass. I discovered if you grab it way at the bottom and shake it that it will bring more of the root with it. Then I found my white columbine full of the nasty stuff, then the white crocuses were almost lost and I pulled and twisted and shook the crabby grass out of them. It got to be conpulsive. The hostas had to be cleared, the iris and I could just barely see the lily of the valley.

I have the black garden cloth under this and the d... crab grass grows right through it. Then I found some strangle vine and dug that out. I found leeks, a small bulb onion with nice greenery, had just buried the stump at the back. I must have yanked 50 of them.I might have one tiny piece of spiderwort still growing, am not sure.

I had been working in the classic old lady gardening pose, legs apart, bent over from the waist and pulling with both hands. For the last hour I had been having to straighten up, stretch and walk around a minute to get my legs to stop shaking. It just went on and on, I would just pull one more root of crab grass then quit. But I didn't quit till the mate came around back and said oh THERE you are, I recognize THAT. I just turned around and looked at him with my red face dripping floods of sweat and said I was glad he got a look, because now I was going to sit down on it.

I looked around and saw I had cleared two thirds of the garden out and had three piles of weeds about 18 inches deep and 3 feet around. Impressive! Also exausting. I abandoned everything and went in to cool off. We had cold sandwiches again and by the time I was done my glasses had stopped steaming up and my heart rate was almost normal again.

I went back out and moved the mulch, laid some planting dirt, seeded 3 kinds of zinnias, including the minis that are so cute, watered the whole garden, sprinkled mulch over the seeds and put my tools away. I skipped my bike ride but I don't think it hurt anything.

I really wanted to finish it tonight but I've had this cold and it was chilly and raining. So I got tonight off.

The cousin called and he has the seat I need along with a few other things for my bike so I will be making a trip to meet them sometime soon. Number One Son and Wife will be down this weekend to make a mother's day dinner for us. Number Two granddaughter will be with them. The mate leaves Monday for the south with my Mom and her motor home. I got the computer at work back in one piece and the office cleaned yesterday, too. So stay tuned for more adventures.

Hoping for an easy Friday tomorrow and a nice day to ride both bikes when I get home.

Bashed up Bikers

The big news today is not that I was running a little late for work, (which I hate but do often), it's that just before I got to the "big city" I looked into a medow to my right and saw a mama deer standing funny, all hunched up in the middle with her head low, looking toward her rear end.

I slowed way down in case there were more and tried to see if she was hurt or what when a shiny, little spotted fawn popped up out of the grass and started nursing while mama cleaned what she could reach of it. I was awed, you don't get to see that often, even in the boonies! I figure she was still hunched up as she was trying to pass the afterbirth. The little fawn tail spun in a circle, just like the baby horses do and I was too far to see more. What a great reason to be late!

Ok, so I mention yesterday that we are going to be riding one speeds for exercise, decide to check for cycling tips in other blogs and find out that they are all falling down. Like YIKES! I had one stupendous crash as a child that resulted in a major forehead goose egg and double black eyes but have managed to keep things rubber side down, or avoid destruction, mostly, since then on either type of bike.

Being one of those that avoids doctors when I can I thought I'd post another long comment with links on herbal remedies and leave a link at the site of the recovering crash victims.
I self treat as much as possible and, as I don't know how other people harvest their food and herbs, I am also one that grows her own organic vegetables, fruit, and herbs. The herb garden has been destroyed by 3 years of neglect but I will be starting a fresh one this year.

We worked for hours last night with the sprinkler and straw to protect the current vegetable garden, and six (2 newly planted) flower beds from the hard frost.

We built little straw igloos over the tomatoes, cantalope and strawberries as well as the bleeding hearts. We tarped two areas, especially the 100 pansies, but also what I call the circle garden of mostly annuals, that I just seeded 8 days ago. The Lupine that I grew from seed sent to me by a friend visiting Colorado also got well sprinkled and a straw hut as this is it's third year and I expect beautiful blooms from it this year. It's special because of the 4 other varieties in the post card envleopes I only have that and one columbine that made it.

By then, even though it was chilly and breezy, I was dripping like a sponge. We wound up the 2 miles of hose then went in to take a break. Once I was dried off we got the bikes out.
Now I was feeling pretty good considering I had ridden for the first time in 17 years yesterday and just busted butt to get the produce protected so I called to the mate on his bike behind me, "I'm going for the big one, hang a left!"

He followed me as I began my ride with a noticable uphill, probably a whole 11 degree grade. Made it thru one block of that, hung a right and pedaled through the gentle down grade, made the turn past the mud puddle with out sliding and begain the next up hill. I did ok on that one but the burn started in the tops of my thighs. I coasted as I crested that one to slow down for the next turn. That stretch was pretty level but when I made the corner back toward home it was uphill again and I'm saying,"I will NOT push the bike up this DINKY hill!" and pushing the pedals around almost as slowly as you can go and not tip over. It was touch and go but I did it. It's all on muddy gravel, too.

So I survived the second ride and we had a nice breakfast for supper, one of my favorites. Tonight is egg salad sandwiches made with my sisters organically correct eggs from her well cared for but not allowed to range chickens.

Bumps and Bruises

For those of you that have had the misfortune to be wacked into the dirt recently I dug up some information on herbs with anti-infalmmatory properties and more for you. I also reccomend a long war soak in an Epsom salts bath.

This was an interesting site for more information for sports injuries.

My favorite herb for injuries is Comfrey root. (Symphytum officinale) has been traditionally used to treat wounds and to reduce the inflammation associated with sprains and broken bones. The roots and leaves of comfrey contain allantoin, a substance that promotes wound healing and tissue regeneration. Comfrey ointments were often applied to the surface of the skin to heal bruises as well as pulled muscles and ligaments, fractures, sprains, and strains. Some traditional healers also used comfrey leaves to reduce inflammation.

Make a poultice of the root by simmering it on the stove in a pan of water , dip a clean cloth in the liquid, wring it out, wrap root in it and lay it on the injury. Do not take internally!

My cat was shot several years ago and all I did was clean out his wound, use a little peroxide and then put a comfrey root poltice on the entrance and exit wounds. I am not exaggerating, he was up and jumping to the top of a four foot fence in 3 days! I also used it for my hip surgury.

Chamomile is one of my favorite "I feel icky" teas. It is known for the medicinal qualities it possesses. It has been used in treating nervous tension headaches. It has anti-inflamatory properties which help with arthritis and injuries!

A tea is made from the flowers. Brew 1 tablespoon of the dried flowers in 8 oz. of very hot water (not boiled!). Let this set for 5 or so minutes before drinking. Use three times a day.

The tea has a somewhat apple scent and a bland, slightly bitter flavor. I take it with honey. Don't let the flavor stop you from using this for helping with inflamation.

To soothe sore, painful muscles and joints, make a poultice and soak a towel in it and wrap painful joint area.

There are traces of Vitamin A, a high level of calcium and magnesium, potassium, iron, maganese, and zinc. It is a good brew for those with a hangover!

Borage is another herb I have grown and used. The leaves and flowers can be added to salads for a cucumber flavored green. It's yummy!

It is an anti-inflammatory herb. It may be used during fevers and especially during convalescence. Borage contains potassium and calcium.

Yarrow has an aspirin like effect. It's pain reliever and anti-inflammatory herb. Used for muscle spasms, bruises and is a good wound healer. Do not take if you are taking aspirin for heart problems as it helps blood coagulate, unlike aspirin which prevents clotting. Will also work as a poltice on bruises.

Here are some more I found but have not used.

BIRCH Taken as a tea and made from, the bark or leaves. A diuretic and anti-inflammatory herb used for gout, kidney stones, and rheumatism. Oil and creams are used for swollen joints.

NETTLE Relieves hay fever and reduces allergic sensitivity to allergens. Has diuretic properties and dries allergy symptoms. for nose and throat swellings. An anti-inflammatory. Also used for cough relief.

Willow Bark Salix spp. This is the medicinal plant genus after which the salicylates were named. It is the classic anti-inflammatory herb. Its chief active ingredients are the glycosides salicin and salicortin. These are converted to salicylic acid in stages in the intestine and liver. It is ironic that in attempting to improve on this plant, pharmacologists eliminated one of its chief virtue is that it produces salicylic acid in the body safely past the digestive tract, where the acid itself can cause ulceration. Willow bark is slower acting than aspirin, sometimes taking several days before the conversion to salicylic acid is sufficient to relieve pain. The salicylic acid is excreted in the urine, making this an herb of choice for urinary tract inflammations. This plant should be avoided by those allergic to aspirin, and those taking anti-coagulant therapy such as Warfarin.

Meadow Sweet, Spiraea ulmaria, Filipendula ulmaria This is the anti-inflammatory herb in which salicylic acid was first discovered. It has a number of other anti-inflammatory constituents with slightly different actions, including gaultherin and spiraein. The name aspirin was derived from spiraein.

Devil's claw tuber , Harpagophytum procumbens - This African plant has gained its name due to the appearance of its tough, barbed fruit. It contains glycosides, phytosterols, flavonoids and harpagoquinone. It is a bitter, anti-inflammatory herb, useful for a wide-range of joint and muscular problems, including RA. It will also stimulate the digestive system. Do not take if suffering from stomach or duodenal ulcer. Avoid during pregnancy and if taking anti-coagulant therapy.

Black cohosh root, Cimicifuga racemosa -This is a Native American remedy, used for muscular and nerve pain. Do not use if taking HRT or the contraceptive pill. Contains salicylates - avoid if allergic to aspirin. Do not exceed stated dose.

Follies

The weekend was crappy for weather here and tonight it's supposed to frost. This is past our usual "last hard frost" date and we have a gazillion plants to cover up. Hoping to save the vegetables, strawberries and rasberries but still have 100 pansies SOMEONE planted to surprise me, glads, peonys, iris lillies in several assorted colors and varieties, hollyhocks, morning glories, and thank heaven the tulips, daffodils, narcissus, crocus and hiacyinth are finished already!

Saturday I was dealing with the cold, flu or bronchitis that's been hanging on for more than a week now. My voice is missing in action. The weather was chilly and rainy so we didn't go to the Blessing of the Bikes in Baldwin this weekend. The annual whole town yard sale was pretty much a wash out. I didn't have anything set up for it this year.

Around two-ish my meds kicked in and the mate took me out to hit the few places that had inside sales or braved the weather so I could hunt for missing treasure ( treasure I don't have, lol). I don't know what has gotten into him this week. Usually he just gives me some money and sends me off alone. He's always a wonderful mate, partner, lover, friend and boyfriend but he has been really sweet. He is the someone that planted 100 deep red pansies for me and then he chauffered me around town today. After a couple random stops he took me to the other side of town and we stopped at a nice little old lady's house where he bought us bicycles.

That's what I said. Plural, two, one for me and one for him. Old fashioned one speed, Tru-Value Bicycles. Can you hint any harder?

This is the beginning of our mutual exercise program. We both need it but generally just avoid it. I avoid it out of fear. He avoids it to not make me feel guilty for not exercising. So our already large boned, stocky german irish frames are round in the wrong places. With the health problems I have had I haven't hardly moved in 3 years or more.

Not to whine but I have had degerative arthritis that required a hip replacement after a year of dragging around like Igor, using a cane and sitting whenever I could. That laid me up for two months and more to heal all the way. Took Vioxx for it - had a heart attack and got my tail bone dislocated in the ambulance on the way to the hospital. Heart has one stint and tail bone is still not fixed. This makes sitting complicated and often painful. So, yes, I have been worried I will drop over dead over exerting where no one will find me.

Solutions by Mate; two bicycles, he will go with me riding. We used to ride 6 or 7 miles one way to visit each other when we were kids. Now we usually just ride the motorcycles. What a great partner he is for me!

I am ready to try and actually made it all the way around the block on my first ride! Aiming for the creek 7/10ths of a mile down the road, fish till I am rested and return. When the works we will start for the gas station eight miles out, have a cold drink and return. If I live through that I may aim at the lake for more fishing! Wish me luck, I have the self disipline of a three year old.

Sunday we went shopping for groceries and ended up with bushes and flowers for the side of the house. We chopped out 4 evergreens that were over 20 years old and out of control. Mate bouught a chipper and we are turning them into mulch for the same area and replanting it.

While it was cold again we still planted the bushes but I am waiting on the geraniums and other flowers till the frost is past.

I also had to hustle around and hang the oriel feeder as I spotted a pair of them looking at last weeks oranges I had out! They have stayed two days now and I hope to keep them for the season. The female humming birds are back, two and I have two feeders up for them.

Our favorite cousins on the mate's side dropped in and we had a great visit. He had a new gutiar and I got mine out to show him some chords to a song he wanted to learn. She had new teen kid stories to tell, sadly. Boy am I glad mine are wonderful adults now and not hormone driven, self centered, selfish monsters anymore!

Then the daughter called for a phone visit and we got caught up with each other. I love listening to what she has thought up to test her limits next. The boy didn't call but he is coming over next weekend with his wife and the gdaughter to make us a Mother's Day dinner! The other three girls are doing fine. Eldest gdaughter had her birthday the 13th, she's two.

Tonight I pick up straw to bury plants in and go for my second ride. I was going to keep an exercise journal like I see some of the "real" dieters and atheleats do just so I could write that before I left the yard I put a rear view mirror on the bike, it already had correct reflectors. Have purchased a horn and will get small water pistol to fill with watered down ammonia for dogs (or annoying kids). I don't know how people ride with no mirrors. I know I can't turn around to look or look under my arm and be sure I saw it all.

On my first ride I wore fancy mirror sunglasses, denim jacket, long sleeve shirt, jeans, tennis shoes, leather riding gloves. It was cold and I was pretty sure almost anything could make me tip over. I always wipe out my hands so I wear gloves now.

My distance was 4 blocks and a short driveway. The time was about 3 minutes. The thighs started to burn in the second block on the barely noticeable up grade but I made it!

Old friends

I got a nice surprise this morning in the email. A friend I haven't seen in, hmm, uhhhh - Aakk! 15 years, sent me some photos of himself, his dog and his girl. Do look at the larger view, he has such an expression! It's the same one he used in his prom photo 16 years ago.

This Nice Young Man was an exchange student from Germany the year Eldest Daughter was graduating. They became friends and she invited him home several times. That he was very polite was the first thing I noticed about him. His English was very good, that was the second. I found him to have a more mature attitude than most of the kids his age. Maybe I mean he related to adults better.

NYM was also thoughtful. On one visit we had started to play a game of Backgammon on a small, magnetic travel board. It was all we had left after the fire (another story). One die and several pieces were missing so we didn't get to finish the game.

At Christmas that year NYM came over and brought several gifts for the ED and, surprisingly, one for me! My gift was a portable Backgammon game! I was very touched! So NYM slipped into my life as favorite ex-boyfriend of ED.

We exchanged cards at holidays for a while after he went back to Germany. Then I lost touch. ED had stayed friends with NYM and had an email address for him. We exchange a line or two even now. Last time I asked him to use his fancy camera to take a photo of himself. Today it arrived. It just made me smile and I had to share.

Riding to work

Yesterday was perfect! Sun up, easy breeze, blue skies and so I got to ride to work! The 1978 GL1000 has a nice Plexifaring mounted and a cup holder for my water. The lunch cooler fits nicely on the luggage rack the mate found for me. I used a bungy net to anchor it. That worked well!

I wore the older helmet with the quick release, denim jacket, light leather gloves, engineer boots and jeans with sunglasses. It was almost 70 even that early so I didn't need the heavy gear.

Bike (not named yet) started right up. Went easily down the road, through the first several corners and curves then tried the cruise control the mate mounted for me. That was sweet! It works the best of any of them I have had! Should cut down on the hand cramps on long rides.

Smelled the honey suckle, saw a pheasant, some horses, cows and then turkeys - all well off the road, thank you! Made it to the shop feeling good about getting there.

Worked all day with one part of me ready to leave for the next ride NOW! Had to stay, need the hours. Clock finally rolled to 5:00 and I was out the door!

Cut my thumb on a sharp bolt tying on the lunch box, bike started right up. Went to back it out and bobbled a little going down hill and backwards, caught it ok, just made me look clumsy. Headed for the house, got to the second stop sign and, when I went to put the right leg down, something hit me in the back of the thigh. Looked down and saw side cover hanging by bottom screw. Pulled around the corner, got off, re-mounted the side cover and got back one.

Went for home again, no more trouble, cruise control worked, road pegs worked. Mate came out with dogs to greet me and kindly back my bike in for me. The garage has a 2 inch lip to keep water out and I have trouble getting the bike and me over it at the same time still.

All in all was great fun! Today it rained :(

Baby

I lived in a college town in a house that had rooms rented to students. My husband and I had been there long enough to become friends with the other roomies and things were pretty good. We had a little room upstairs until someone moved out and we moved into the basement. It gave us two rooms, one for the baby and another, divided by sheets, we used for visitors and the bedroom.

I had the little room all ready for baby. Dresser, changing table, crib, diapers, bottles, clothes, bedding, blankets and all the little things a baby needs. I even had a baby sized bear in the crib, ready to be drooled on.

While my pregnancy had been fairly easy it had the drawbacks of any pregnacy- bloat, weight gain, awardness, cravings, and it severely limited my activities. I was tired too much in the last six weeks. So, yes, I was ready! The day before I had rearranged the living room and carried a solid wood door downstairs to get it out of the way. I did everything but jump up and down to get the process started.

On a lovely May day, a lot like this one, I went into labor for my first child. Back then we didn't get to know the sex so I was hoping for a girl, but felt a boy would be ok, too. Mostly I wanted to not be pregnant anymore! I had everything ready. My Mom and Grama has helped with most of it but the B Corner's Mom's Club had a baby shower for me, too. This was very kind of them as I was 17 and unwed at the time, an appalling situation to the nice older ladies that were very sweet to us.

When I realized I was really in labor I told my husband. He got all google eyed and jumpy acting and wanted to take me to the hospital right then. I told him, no, not till I was down to 20 minutes apart. Well, he ran out and told the rest of the house mates and they (mostly men) all started freaking out like I was going to pop all over the dining room or something. I was pretty amused by them. I would start a contraction and they would all check their watches, watching the duration and the interval. Meanwhile I was reading my book and ignoring them.

Finally, around noon, the guy with the car, (there's one in every house!) told us he had to be to work at 2:00 and I would have to go now or call a cab. I wanted to call a cab but we had no money so I grabbed my bag and we left.

Now Car guy and the husband were all frantic, the contractions were about 30 minutes apart and seemed stronger. First they took a wrong turn and went the wrong way on a one way, then they took me to the wrong hospital. We did get to the right place but we took the scenic route!

I got signed in, wheeled to a room and into a bed, then the contractions went back down to 45 minutes apart. I knew that would happen, I hate hospitals.

We will skip all the details,( like the fact the my hair was germy and had to be removed but the Dr. who would deliver the baby had a furry pelt on his arms. I refused to allow him to attend me usless he shaved his arms. Baby was delivered by an intern with very little hair anywhere.) but I didn't have the eldest daughter till 24 hours later. That gave Mom, Grama and visiting cousin all plenty of time to get there so when we got back to the room the party had already started.

Eldest Daughter was cleaned, dressed in a jammie, wrapped in a blanket and passed around in her sleep to be admired and examined. I was beat. It was a natural birth and I had been cut, too, so I was tender. Finally, it was my turn again. I laid her against my chest awkwardly then found just the right way to rest her there and we both lay back and relaxed.

Five pounds, six ounces, seventeen inches long, delicate, a strawberry mark on her fore head that would fade quickly, big blue eyes and cupid bow lips accented by lovely dimples, that was my little girl.

If every mother could give to each innocent child the life they wish for them the world would be a better place for children.

I love that girl. Eldest girl is not like me, she is herself. I am proud to have had anything to do with giving her to the world. Happy birthday Daughter.

Confession

Hello, my name is Val and I am a SMOKER! I have made many tries at quitting and failed every time. Dial down filters, gum, patches, cold turkey, pills - Nothing worked for me. PLEASE skip the pep talks! Forget trying to get me to quit. What I want is to be left alone with my archaic habit. Why are you tormenting me!

My view of the "government research" proving the dangers of "second hand smoke" is equivalent to my view of "Reefer Madness" as a true documentary on marijuana. Long ago in my youth I smoked both. I saw the movie, RM, and laughed my head off! That anyone could believe the totally exaggerated hype presented as truth appalled me!

Silly me! Someone ALWAYS believes it when they see it on TV or in a movie....sheesh! The government always tells the truth. So now they have "documented proof" that second hand smoke will harm innocent bystanders. RIGHT!

Look, Government of Michigan, I grew up in a home where the parents and most of visitors smoked. One Grampa smoked a pipe. If Mom had tried to tell him to smoke outside he would have laughed his butt off. Uncles and Aunts smoked, cousins smoked, most of my parents friends smoked. Now the word smoked looks funny...a little like I had smoked the other stuff. Anyway, four of us kids, same environment - two smoke, two do not. None have health problems related to lungs.

In the same home people drank. To excess. Now there are some stories for you. Two grown men trying to leap to their feet from flat on their backs on the floor, flopping like fish, because they saw some one on TV do it and they were drunk and it seemed like a good idea to prove they could do it, too. Fights and accidents caused by drinking marred our lives. Same kids, 1 had serious drinking problem, one drinks "socially", 1 drinks medicinally and 1 doesn't drink.

I have one aunt, never said a bad word in her life, never touched drink or smoke but died of cancer. Mate's Grama, a true lady, same story. Two of my great aunts (sisters) both smoked. One still puffing away at 83, one died at 86, still smoking. That is my experience or "research" on smoking and drinking. It doesn't show any consistency with yours at all.

Why, after already taxing us into the ground, are you trying to make all work places, including bars and restaurants, nonsmoking? Have a little compassion!

OK, you want everyone to quit smoking, for whatever reason. Goodie! But please, don't make stupid laws that we can't smoke in work places! We are allowed to breathe fumes of paint, welding gases, plastics and other toxic chemicals at work. Most employers don't care how many people gripe about nasty fumes, if it's making them a buck.

According to your "research" we are all going to die soon anyway. Can't you wait 20 years? That gives us all time to die off and you 20 more years to brainwash the next two generations.

I don't see you making any laws that you can't DRINK in work places! How many people have drunken drivers killed? Now compare that number to the ones you are trying to say smokers have killed. Oh, yeah - and show me PROOF they died from my smoke.

You can't believe I spend this kind of money for anything I don't NEED! I am addicted. Some "dic" thought up a way to make cigarettes more addictive and didn't mention it to smokers. Pretty low trick. Personally, I think they should have to supply me with smokes for life.

So please, let us go out to dinner with our friends, or for a few drinks and dancing to celebrate special events without having to act like criminals; sneaking out back to smoke. Then, in 20 years, according to your statistics, we should all be gone and you can have your nonsmoking world.

In the mean time, if you are a smoker in Michigan, go here to contact your state senator and here to contact your representitive. You can email them!

Ask them, as Larry Parsons did, "What gives the government the right to dictate to property owners, and citizens, where they can or cannot smoke, and on who's private property they may or may not smoke. And tell them that "Such legislation is nothing more than an intrusion upon our {personal} freedoms. "

If you don't know which rep or senator is yours, write to all of them. I did!

Here, for the copy and paste crowd;

Dear State of Michigan Representative (or Senator),

I am against the proposed legislation banning smoking in all work places. The government does not have the right to mandate to private property owners, and citizens, where they can or cannot smoke. They do not have the right to dictate on who's private property citizens may or may not smoke.

This legislation is nothing more than an intrusion upon our personal freedom. Along with the soon to be instituted "National ID", the current helmet laws and seat belt laws it brings us one step closer to losing our civil liberties and our freedom.

What did our veterans fight for?

Sincerely,
Your Name
Your address

Stepping off soapbox now.

Wild Ideas

Do you ever just want to do something unusual to give people a story to tell when they get home? The mate hates when I get these ideas.

It all started when I was just 15, naieve beyond belief and in Vancover. It was a lovely day; warm, blue sky dotted with little, puffy clouds, gentle breeze blowing. I was walking down a street near the beach and contemplating a swim. There was a fair crowd as it was about lunch time.

It was a city street filled with city people. People with expensive suits and briefcases, dresses and purses, jeans and t-shirts, polyester suits, tie-dyed dresses, halters and shorts, all trying to get somewhere and do something.

I was about half way through the block I was on approaching a four lane intersection. In the block across the street from me about the same distance away from the crosswalk as I was but coming toward me a man shouted. I looked up to see him jump above the crowd, waving his arms and shouting a name I couldn't quite make out. OK, I noted it, decided it wasn't a dangerous situation and kept moving. He wasn't talking to me!

Just behind me another man screeched, "Georges! Hey! Georges!" I turned to see a fairly attractive male jumping up and down as he ran forward toward the intersection.

The first man gave an excited yelp and started running at the same time the man behind me went shooting past me at a gallop! Both men ran with their arms outstretched in greeting and shouting the name of their friend. I watched the people around me getting out of the way and pausing in their busy day to watch the reunion we all expected.

The light turned green for pedestrians just as the two men entered the crosswalk from their respective directions. Screaming in joy, reaching for each other with happy faces, the men ran right past each other and on up the block.

I blinked, then I laughed. A few people laughed with me but most chose to ignore the daft action of the strangers and go on with their day. I couldn't believe they wouldn't acknowledge the planning and timing that went into something to make people smile with at least a chuckle! Stuffy folks, I guess.

That was my introduction to street theater. I loved it! I don't often indulge any more but I used to think up things and do them just for the fun of helping people have fun.

Last night, on my lovely ride home, I saw a man walking in the rain and carrying a black plastic bag. I think "picking up cans" + "raining" = "should offer ride" - "mate says no riders". Then I think, shoot, he could live right there and be cleaning junk out of his yard, not collecting cans and bottles. So I keep going on my merry way.

Now I am stuck with this terrible urge to get a sequined Mae West dress and a beaded shawl or feather boa at the Good Will and get all gussied up for a big night on the town. Instead of dinner out I would go walking down the country road carrying a big plastic bag and picking up pop cans to see what happened.

If anyone gets bored and tries this let me know; A.) How many people stop? B.) How many of them offer you a ride or money?C.) How many proposition you? and D.) How much fun it was for you.

I'm willing to post photos! Have fun.