And a Good Time Was Had by All

After several weeks of trying to synchronize our calendars, we finally found a weekend that Bubba’s brother Joe and wife Judy could go camping with us.  Our destination was Seminole State Park in Donaldsonville, Ga.  We have been here several times before and it is one of our favorite spots.  We were supposed to meet them there at 1:00, but since we usually get lost trying to get there we left a little earlier than was necessary and arrived at noon on Friday.  We went ahead and checked in and were able to check Joe and Judy in at the same time so that we could claim a site for them next to us.  We were in luck.  There were a number of sites left on the lake and we staked our claim for one on each side of us so that they could take their pick.

Once they were set up in their camp site, the first order of business was to try out Joe’s new kayak.  We all took a turn.  Of course, Bubba loved it and is now kayak shopping for one of his own.

Supper on Friday night was chili, crackers and pear salad.  Judy cooked it and it was delicious.  After supper, we built a fire and set around and visited until bedtime. 

Saturday was more of the same.  Bubba fried mullet and flounder for lunch.  It smelled wonderful and tasted as good as it smelled.  Come to think of it, we sure did a lot of eating.  Supper that night was another huge meal followed by marshmallows roasted over the campfire.

This was one of our best weekends camping.  While we have enjoyed every trip we've taken, we've always thought it would be even better with family or friends and we were right.  We're looking forward to our next trip already.  

Long Overdue Camping Trip to St. Joe Peninsula State Park

February was filled with the excitement of making our camping reservations for the summer.  We had plans to go to East Bank Corps of Engineers Park, Stephen Foster State Park in Georgia aw well as the Stephen Foster State Park in Florida.  Naturally we had to cancel all of these when I became too sick to do much of anything; however, we left our reservation at St. Joe Peninsula State Park on the books hoping that I would be able to go by then.  And I was!

We were a little disappointed with the campground there.  We had stayed there before in the winter and had written down several camp sites that we thought were preferable; however, the one we were in had palmettos and scrub oaks so close to the front door of the camper that we could not even put out our awning and enjoy sitting outside.  The Florida Parks we have stayed in seem to be going with the “natural” look which basically means they hack out a place for you to park and leave everything else.  That gives you no view, plenty of mosquitoes, and no possibility of a breeze.  On the other hand, the parks in Alabama and Georgia appear to be better “groomed” and spaced out better.  Granted we are just now in our second year of camping, but so far this is what I’ve observed. 

Our first night I fixed tacos for supper.  Since I’ve been sick I cannot get enough tacos.  This is probably the sixth time we’ve had them since June.  I wonder what that craving means?

 We walked down to the beach when we had everything set up at our campsite and the waves rolling in were huge and the red flags were flying.  It was not looking like we were going to get to enjoy the beach very much.  Saturday dawned and we packed up our beach gear and headed down to the beach hoping that it would be better and it was.  The seas had calmed enough that we could swim and cool off and we set up our umbrella and just enjoyed relaxing and swimming every now and then.

Later that day we enjoyed a game of Scrabble in the cool of the trailer and grilled pork chops for supper. That night we watched an old movie that Bubba’s brother, Joe, had recommended.  It was  "The Long, Long Trailer" staring Lucille Ball and Desi Arnez.  It was very funny and reminded us of some of the tight spots we were in when we first started camping.

We came home on Sunday so I could rest up on Monday before returning to work on Tuesday.  It is good to be camping again and I’m looking forward to more trips as the weather cools off.

Ballerina Girl

Two weeks before I returned to work, we decided to make the trip to see Amy, Darryl, and mostly Amelia, since it had been nearly two months since I had seen her.  Although Amy and Darryl came while I was in the hospital, Amelia stayed with her Aunt Ashley to avoid exposure to my meningitis.   We also thought this would be a good test of my strength because it is an eight hour drive and it is usually a pretty busy weekend when we visit.  

We were waiting for Amelia when she came in from school.  She looks so cute in her school uniform or “costume” as she calls it.  She was as happy to see us as we were to see her.  During our visit we played Candyland, ran races, and went to a nearby outline mall.  At one point I was alone with Amelia and it was hot and we couldn’t find another quarter for her to ride a little ride she found.  At that point I knew that I would be able to handle work just fine.  

Every time we would get in the car to go somewhere, she would get a paper and pen and assume the role of her teacher.  She wasn’t teaching us our ABC’s or numbers.  Instead, she was writing our names on two sides of her paper and then she would announce “Paw-Paw and Amy… car pool” and “Nana and Darryl… extended care”.  I guess this is how her teacher divides them up at the end of the day.  She appears to be fascinated with the management of a classroom.

We always try to take her a little surprise when we visit.  This time we bought her some ballet shoes, a leotard and a tutu all in pink because I thought she would like to play dress up and dance.  I found out when I got there that this would have a practical use as well since she would be starting ballet lessons   the next week.  She loved the outfit and immediately stripped and put it on.  As we got our cameras she assumed many exaggerated ballet poses.  Picture below is one of the best.  

Saturday night Darryl grilled steaks for us.  I had requested a Darryl steak while I was in the hospital and even though he had just returned home that day from a business trip, he was still gracious enough to cook me the steak I had been craving.  He’s my favorite son-in-law, you know.

We left early due to the impending landfall of Hurricane Issac.  As you all prob ably know it turned and headed another way once we were headed home.  It was a good weekend and we got our much needed Amelia “fix”.  We’re already looking forward to next time.

June Ended on a High Note.

I mentioned earlier that I would post about our summer visit from Amy and Amelia at a later date.  I forgot some things while I had meningitis, but I did not forget the visit we had from our girls prior to getting sick.  Amy and Amelia came for a week long visit at the end of June.  Immediately upon arrival, Amelia noticed the tire swing that Paw-Paw had made her.  She got out of the car and after lots of hugs and kisses, she was ready to swing on what she calls her "hole" swing.

The next day Amy and I took her to the pool at Frank Brown Park in Panama City.  Paw-Paw opted out on this trip.  He is not crazy over the kiddie pool/playground, but he still missed a good time.  

We went to Pier Park the next day to see the movie, "Brave".  Paw-Paw also passed on this trip which is a good thing because he would have had a stroke  after paying for popcorn and drinks for all of us.  We could have had a meal at a nice restaurant for what the movie theater refreshments cost us.  You can tell that I don't go to the movie very often.

On Friday, Amy joined a group from her former church in Atlanta for a weekend retreat for youth.  The new leader had an engagement for Friday and Saturday and asked Amy if she would take her place.  Of course Amy was happy to get the opportunity to spend time with the teenage girls she had been leading prior to her move to Baton Rouge.  This also meant that Bubba and I had Amelia all to ourselves which we always enjoy.

We went to the beach one day to a place recommended by Bubba's sister and it was perfect.  There was a sand bar close to the shore that created a pool type area that was free of waves breaking.  This enabled Amelia and me to play "mermaid girls" for hours.  She also enjoyed picking up shells which were plentiful and feeding the sea gulls.

Last year we made a Flag Cake to celebrate the 4th of July and since it is such a good cake for a preschooler to help with, we made one again.  Pictures are below, maybe not in the correct order.  The week ended much too soon, but we enjoyed every minute of it.

July 2012 A Month Lost to Viral Meningitis

On July 3, I completed a productive day at work and happily left the office at 5:00 anticipating a long holiday weekend camping at a Corps of Engineers Park on Lake Seminole.  That night I went to bed and awoke sometime in the middle of the night with chills and a fever of 104 degrees.  I covered up good, took some Tylenol and suffered through the night.  The next morning I felt some better and pushed myself to go to Wal Mart with Bubba to buy our camping groceries for the weekend.  I didn’t hold up too well and when I came home to rest my fever was once again 104 degrees.  I determined that I would see the doctor the next morning.  The night was rough with high temperatures.  My neck and head ached.  It’s a wonder I didn’t die from a drug overdose because I searched the cabinet for anything that might help relieve my pain.  Bubba heated hot compresses for my head that seemed to help some and he massaged my neck until he gave out.

Long story short, I ended up the next day (Thursday) at Sacred Heart Hospital in Port St. Joe.  The doctor there did not seem alarmed by my high temperatures (although I know that I heard once your brain would “boil” if your temperature got too high).  He said that I didn’t need a spinal tap because I could move my head and neck.  I was told I had a virus and to take Tylenol for the fever.

On Saturday, I tried to reach the doctor at Sacred Heart but couldn’t so we decided to go to the Emergency Room at Gulf Coast.  Same story as Sacred Heart – I didn’t need a spinal tap, I had a virus and should take Tylenol for my fever.

The misery continued until Tuesday morning when Bubba called Dr. Barnes who agreed to see me right away.  I believe he saved my life.  He told Bubba that I was going into shock and that he was calling the ambulance and having me admitted at Bay Medical.  Most of that day is a blur, but I do remember that the first thing said by the emergency room doctor was that he was going to do a spinal tap.  I don’t remember anything until I was in my “isolated” room on a bedside toilet and I didn’t have the strength to get up.  A bald headed black man reached around me and said, “Come on, Mama, we’re putting you on that bed.”  And he did.

I began to get antibiotics and other drugs via IV - wonderful medicine that stopped my headache.  After a night of pushing fluids into me, they discovered that I had too much fluid and it had built up around my heart.  I was so swollen.  My fingers were short, fat stubs and my wedding ring felt like it was going to cause the end of my finger to drop off.  Of course, the cure for this was a lot of diuretics and I was put on fluid restrictions.  Also something had happened to the sodium in my blood and I had to take $200 sodium tablets.  I have never craved cold water so much in my life.  Eventually I felt better and began to beg the doctor to let me go home and he did (big mistake).

At home I felt like I was doing okay.  I could get up to go to the bathroom although they did not send me home with anything for my headaches which continued.  The fevers also continued, but I was at home and happy until I got up to go the bathroom and did not have the strength to get up.  Bubba helped me and we decided that we might better go back to see Dr. Barnes the next day.  The next morning on the way out the back door, my legs turned to jelly and I sat down hard on the step and of course Bubba couldn’t get me up.  He called his friend Charles to come help.  He was there e in just a minute.  I put my arm around his big strong shoulders and I’ve got to tell you it sure felt good.  His wife, Helen, asked me if he stunk because he had been working in the garden, but I assured her that he smelled wonderful to me.  Dr. Barnes sent me back to the hospital.  Wow, it took eight hours in the emergency room to get back in.  I was in isolation again, but I was where I needed to be.  That was on a Thursday and I stayed until the following Wednesday.  The doctor had said that I would go to HealthSouth from the hospital because I needed rehab to get my strength back; however, when he came in Wednesday, he pretty much said I was a strong woman to go home.  I asked about my headaches and he pointed upward and said some things only God can heal. 

Well, I’ve been at home four days.  Bubba is taking very good care of me.  I’m making myself get dressed every day and walk as much inside as I can and a lap outside also.  I am getting stronger and I do love being at home. 

We saw Dr. Barnes again who gave me my headache pills.  He said that the headache would go away when the swelling around my brain subsided.  He also said that getting well was going to take time and I should just try to do a little more everyday  He also said that it might be Thanksgiving until I’m back to normal, but I feel like I’m on the right track.

You may think that I’m writing too much about this experience, but I’m 63 years old and have never experienced anything like this before.  I truly feel for the people suffering from cancer and the other debilitating diseases that are out there.  I feel like a baby next to them, but this wasted a whole month and maybe more from my life.  I don’t want to forget it so I’m really writing this for me.  There are a lot of things/events I don’t want to ever forget.

1.       The way Bubba has taken care of me.  He has definitely passed the “in sickness and in health” vow.

2.       Amy and Darryl’s response to my illness.  Darryl was boarding an airplane when Bubba called and told him they were taking me to the hospital.  He cancelled his flight, picked up Amy and Amelia and headed to the hospital.

3.       All of Bubba’ brothers and his sister came to the hospital to be with him.

4.       While Amy was here, I would doze off and I would wake up and see here sitting on the couch reading – just watching over me.

5.       It always made me smile when Darryl came in the room.  He would have on his mask and would pull on his latex gloves and snap them like he was going to do surgery.  He has a flair for the dramatic.

6.       I received so many phone calls.  I felt so loved.  Many of the people I work with called me on a regular basis.  Both prison chaplains called or came by.  My boss has called me nearly every day and visited the hospital twice.

7.       I don’t want to forget how well I was treated at the hospital.  Everyone from the custodian to the RNs were so nice and attentive (except the one nurse from h-e-l-l), but I only had him once.

8.       I don’t want to forget the nurse who was concerned because the permanent IV they had left on my hand was hurting me.  It burned like fire when they flushed it out, but they have to leave it just in case they need it again.  She said that she was going to call the doctor early the next morning to get permission to take it out.  I kind of thought, “Yeah right”, but the next morning at 7:00 just as she was finishing her shift, she came in and took that hateful thing out.  I thought of her every time I tucked my hand under my cheek to sleep.

9.       I don’t want to forget the nurse who talked to the doctor about increasing my headache medication.  She got him to change it to every four hours instead of every six.  The nurses knew that if they got it to me on time, I would not have a headache and they were always there with it on time.  (Except the nurse from h-e-l-l who was three hours late.)

10.   I don’t want to forget the nice man from Food Service.  Somehow I got entered in the computer for a diet that was “non mechanical”, which I think meant no teeth.  Everything I got was something pulverized beyond recognition and served on mashed potatoes.  It seemed that no one was a high enough authority to change the entry in the computer.  Dr. Compton, my kidney doctor, tried twice to fix it.  I got a real pork chop and a baked potato that night and I was so excited.  I almost sucked the bone, but alas, the next morning the pulverized stuff returned.  Apparently the computer caught the mistake.  When Amy came back (surprise!) the second time she took matters into her own hands.  On Monday night she went and got us some Mexican food for supper.  I savored and smiled over every single bite.  I kind of felt bad when the man picked up my tray, but he said he understood that he would have done the same thing.

The next night we had Pizza Hut pizza supreme.  Once again each bite was a delight.  You would think that all this spicy food would not agree with me after a week of eating bland pulverized food, rest assured that it did not bother me one bit.

The next day the nice food service man came to see me and asked me if I would want a cheeseburger for lunch.  I assured him that he would be my hero if he could accomplish that.  It seems that the computer allows that for a “non mechanical” diet because of the ground beef.  He was so proud when he delivered it and I assure you that I enjoyed every bite.  On my last day, right before I was released he came in to tell me that I had finally been corrected in the computer to a “regular diet” and with great excitement he informed me that tonight was FRIED CHICKEN NIGHT.  I sadly informed him that I was going home and going to regret missing the fried chicken, but I did thank him for all the personal attention he gave trying to please me.

UPDATE:

I have now been at home since Wednesday, July 25.  I feel like I’m getting stronger every day.  Last Thursday I went to an eye doctor appointment, a drug store, ate lunch at Golden  Corral (with Bubba fixing my plate), and got to go back by the prison for a short visit.  It was my best day so far.

Saturday was our 46^th Wedding Anniversary and I felt like going out for lunch.  We made the hour long scenic drive to East Point where we ate at Captain Snook’s.  It was delicious.  Bubba has really proven himself as an excellent care giver over this past month.  I’m very blessed.  This is it on my health until I am able to go back to work.  I hope that it won’t be too much longer.

Tribute to a Noble Companion

July 2012 has been one of the worst months for both Bubba and me that I can remember.  I have been unable to blog this month. The end of June was a wonderful visit from Amy and Amelia that I want to tell you about, but my heart is too heavy right now to tell about those good days.  I’m going to start with the worst and most painful event first..

On July 24, 2001, a little buff colored cocker spaniel was born in Baton Rouge, LA.  Amy had been watching for us a puppy and she called to report that our search was over.  We named him “Archie”.  Bubba had just finished reading a book about a lighthouse keeper who lived on a island with his dog, Archie, as his only companion.  Archie was the cutest puppy.  For some reason, his eyes were droopy and that just made him cuter.  He was perfect for us.  He was a low energy puppy who enjoyed naps as much as we did.  He was easily house trained.  To start with he stayed in a crate during the day while we were at work.  Bubba built a stand for the crate so he would be high enough up to see out the front window.  Later we did away with the crate and Archie had the run of the house all day long.  He was such a good dog.  In 2006, Bubba retired and he and Archie became constant companions.  One of their favorite things to do was ride through the neighborhood really slowly in the truck looking for other dogs for Archie to bark at.  Archie liked to sit in Bubba’s lap in the recliner and they would read or watch tv together.  He liked me too, but it was obvious that Bubba was his favorite human.

He traveled with us to visit Amy and Darryl.  He was such a good traveler.  He rode and looked with interest at everything.  He barked without fail when he saw a motorcycle or crossed a bridge.  When we got our travel trailer last year, he was always ready to load up and go.

Amelia loved him and he allowed it up to a point.  When we got a Skype call from her, she always wanted to see Archie.  When she visited, she rubbed his head and back very gently and said, “He’s such a good boy, isn’t he?”

About six months ago, the vet told Bubba that he was pretty sure that Archie had stomach cancer.  There was a good size hard tumor beginning to protrude from his addomen.  He said that there was nothing that would save his life.  Of course we didn’t believe it.  He had to be wrong because Archie was still Archie.  He was eating well and everything seemed fine, but then it became obvious that everything he was eating was going to the tumor.  He could no longer jump up on the couch or onto our laps.  He had trouble getting in the truck and the started sleeping all the time.  It was obvious that his days were numbered.  (The rest of the story is that I have had viral meningitis since July 3 so Bubba has also been having to deal with my being sick also.)

I came home from the hospital in a very weakened state on Wednesday  Bubba’s brother Joe and his wife Judy came on Friday to help us with what had to be done.  Joe went with Bubba to take Archie to the vet while Judy stayed with me.  What greater love could there be than to go through this painful experience with a loved one.  They said that the vet came out to the truck so that Archie wouldn’t have to experience the stress he always has with a vet visit.  It was peaceful and fast.  The vet said there was no other choice.  Joe drove Bubba home and then he buried Archie for him.  Then Judy brought out the delicious meal she had brought for us.  We were all hungry and we ate and the healing process began.

Once upon a time many years ago, I came up on a neighbor washing the food dish for her dog that had just died and she was crying.  As we walked back home, I told Bubba that I didn’t understand that because “it was just a dog.”  Believe me, I understand her tears now.

 Archie was a beautiful dog.  He used to sit on the couch and hold his chin up and his body so straight.  He was a noble dog truly a class above the others.  Rest in peace, Archie.  You loved us and we loved you.  I know that we will see you again one day.

Archie, July 24, 2001 – July 27, 2012           

My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dog already thinks I am.  ~Author Unknown

Blackwater State Park

Father’s Day Weekend finds us at Blackwater River State Park in Holt, FL.  This is a weekend that we had very much looked forward to because we remembered a long ago tubing trip on the cool, clear Blackwater River with its white sand bottom and beautiful sandbars.  Unfortunately there was a record breaking rain storm in the Pensacola area the week before and now the cool, clear water is a muddy looking brown.  Bummer!  

The park itself is very nice.  The campsites are gravel and very level with full hook ups, which is always nice.  There is not a lot of privacy between some of the sites but fortunately we are parked next to a nurse and her husband from Pensacola who are camping with friends from their Sunday School Class.  We looked around and determined that if we ever returned here, Sites #11, #26, or #29 would be our pick with the most space and privacy.

Since we were so close to Pensacola, we decided that we would check in on my 91 year old aunt, Cile, and take  her out to eat for her birthday which was a couple of weeks ago.  Cile was my favorite aunt when I was growing up.  She kept me a lot when I was very little and spoiled me rotten.  She is also the mother of my very special (almost like a sister) cousin, Vicky.   I might add that we allowed her to drive us to the restaurant and I was sure that we would never make it back alive, but we did.  She was very happy to see us and I’m glad we went. 

When we returned from visiting my aunt we ate supper and went to bed pretty early.  Saturday was a much prettier day.  We walked around in the park, visited the river, and came back to the trailer to enjoy the cool morning by sitting outside and reading.  We grilled a pork chop, had corn on the cob and fresh tomatoes with it for lunch.  

On the walkway going down to the river.

Then Bubba’s brother, Joe, called and asked if it would be convenient for him to come for a visit.  It is always a good time for a visit from Joe.  He arrived about 1 ½ hours later.  We sat around outside for a while and enjoyed visiting.  Judy, his wife, was not feeling well and unable to come with him so we really missed seeing her.  Joe and Judy are in the market for a travel trailer since they both recently retired.  We’re very excited about the prospect of having someone to travel and camp with.  We grilled hamburgers and hot dogs for supper.  Afterwards Joe and Bubba walked down to see the river while I cleaned up.  By the way, the sign Joe made us when we started camping has generated a lot of interest.  We had two people this trip who inquired where we got the sign because they liked it so much.

Joe and Bubba and our special sign

We got up Sunday morning, had a big breakfast, packed up, and started home. Happy Father’s Day, Bubba! You’re a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. Amy, Amelia, and I have been blessed to have you in our lives.

On a sad note, this may be Archie’s last camping trip with us. The vet is pretty sure he has stomach cancer and there is really not much to be done for him. He is still eating well and seems to enjoy getting in the truck to go places, but he spends most of his time sleeping and is getting obviously weaker. Please pray that we will know what to do and when to do it. He has been a wonderful companion and it is hard to visualize a life without him in it. I used to not understand when people mourned the passing of a pet, but believe me, I understand now.

Memorial Day Weekend and A Surprise

Memorial Day Weekend finds us at Florida Caverns State Parkin Marianna, FL, for the second time.  You may remember that this is where we spent Christmas.  At Christmas, I found this to be a rather gloomy campground; however, this weekend is beautiful and sunny and I am thoroughly enjoying being here.

On Friday morning, I was checking Facebook and was excited to see that some old friends whom we have not seen for at least ten years were also camping at Florida Caverns for the weekend.  Rather than let them know that we would see them there, we decided to surprise them when we arrived.   We set up our campsite and went for a walk around the campground to see if we could determine which camper belonged to them. We found it, but to our dismay no one was home.  We started walking back to our site when a truck stopped and our friends, Sid and Charlotte greeted us.  We have been visiting with them and their family all weekend.

We became friends with Sid and Charlotte when their son, Allen, was the youth minister at our church.  Allen ate lunch with us almost every Sunday and usually hung out at our house until time to go back to church in the evening.  He was like part of the family.  It also helped us deal with the “empty nest” while Amy was in college.  We enjoyed  a lot of good times with Allen and his family, but eventually Allen went to another church to serve and it became harder to keep up the relationship.  When I first discovered Facebook, I looked up Charlotte and sent her a friend request.  Then I found that they, too, were enjoying camping.  I kept telling Bubba that we needed to get together with them, but I could tell from Facebook that they were very busy with their family.  (They have four grandchildren, who all live fairly close.)   So I have to say that the highlight of this weekend has been rekindling old friendships.

Sid

Charlotte and Granddaughter Julianna

We immediately learned from seasoned campers, Sid and Charlotte, that a fan set up outside would actually keep you cool and keep the bugs away so that you could enjoy being outside.  Thankfully, there is a WalMart in Marianna so we went shopping for our fan and now I’m sitting outside typing this in my Valentine’s Day recliner with our new fan keeping me cool and bug-free.

It’s hard to explain why I enjoy sitting outside at a campground  and it is so different from sitting outside at home, which I hardly ever do.  It’s peaceful here.  Everything is green.  The birds are singing.  Occasionally someone whizzes by on a bicycle.  I guess I enjoy it because I don’t feel like there is anything else I should be doing.  That is a feeling hard to achieve when you’re at home.

Enjoying a good book while we commune with nature. (Pre big fan purchase)

In the evening, we’ve enjoyed the lightning bugs that are plentiful in the woods beside our campsite.  Bubba says that when he was a boy, he and his sister used to catch them in a jar and that they would continue to light up and get brighter and brighter the more that were in the jar.  Of course, they always let them go.  I think Amelia would enjoy doing that.  Maybe one day she will be with us when the lightning bugs are in flight.

Food is an important part of every camping trip and this one is no exception.  Friday evening  Bubba grilled a chicken, which was served with fresh cucumbers, fresh stewed squash and a baked potato.  Saturday we ate at Sonny’s B-B-Q in Marianna, which in my opinion is the very best Sonny’s anywhere.  We had ribs and they were delicious.  That afternoon we cut an ice cold watermelon and then went down to enjoy peach homemade ice cream with our friends.  Charlotte makes the ice cream by my old recipe, which I don’t even have any more since we have not made ice cream in years.  I have often thought about how recipes keep people in our memories.  (That’s a topic for another blog.)

First watermelon of the summer and it was delicious!

Allen poses for a picture with us.

 Sunday included a return trip to Sonny's and a stop by Burger King for an ice cream.  We also did some walking, but mostly a lot of relaxing and visiting with old friends.  Sid and Charlotte were fortunate in having their whole family with them.  Allen and his wife, Tara, arrived in a trailer Friday evening and Jonette and her husband came earlier Friday.  All four grandchildren seemed to get along well.  They would ride bikes together and wave at us every time they passed.  Allen and Tara went to WalMart and bought a small swimming pool which they set up at their campsite, so they all enjoyed cooling it together in the pool after riding bikes.  Monday morning we pulled out around 10:00 after exchanging e-mail addresses and promises to stay in touch.  Hopefully, some of our trips in the future will find us heading in the same direction together.  That would make our enjoyment of camping even better.

Perks of Getting Older

Young people think that old age probably begins at 45 and that life goes totally downhill from that point.  They are so wrong.  I am constantly finding things I really enjoy about life as I get older.  I’ve listed some of these below, but maybe not in order of importance.

1.        Grandchildren

The joy of having a grandchild compares to nothing else.   Until you become a grandparent, you will not understand what is so special about it.

2.       Discounts

I love the fact that as a senior citizen, we qualify for a variety of discounts.  The most impressive ones so far have been at campgrounds.  Did you know that you can stay at many campgrounds for as little as $10-$12 per night?  You can keep your trailer as cold as you want without worrying about your electricity bill.

3.       Pedicures

I know that a lot of young women enjoy these also, but it is a habit that I have acquired in the last couple of years that I really enjoy.  I can even view them as a necessity because I find that it is harder to reach my toes these days.

4.       Tanning Beds

In 2006, I signed up to “lay” for a month before a trip that Bubba and I planned.  I loved the tan and I loved the relaxed feeling I felt as I lay there in peaceful contemplation for the required 20 minutes.  I did this for one month every year since then until this year.  With my new ten hour schedule at work, I just don’t have time.  But I did enjoy this unhealthy habit for a while.

5.       Flip Flops

When I was a teenager, I tried to wear flip flops and deemed that they were rubbing the skin raw between my toes and I never wore them again.  At age 60, I decided to give them another try especially since my toes were looking pretty good with my new pedicure habit.  Flip flops have become my shoe of choice.  I love them!  They are so comfortable.  I’m acquiring a pretty good collection of them.  When I retire, I may wear nothing else.  What happened?  Did they improve the part between the toes or what?  Whatever happened, they are now my favorite shoe.

6.       Servants

No, I don’t have a maid.  I have discovered that the people I work with must think I’m old and feeble.  Everyone wants to help me.  If I’ve been standing a long time, they want me to sit down and they offer to bring me food and something to drink.  If I need to turn in my keys at the Control Room, someone offers to do it for me.  I was waiting outside Target with my cart the other day and it was raining.  A young man I’ve known for years, pulled up and wanted to go get my car for me so I wouldn’t get wet.  (Bubba had already gone for the car.)  I thought that was so sweet that he was willing to get soaked so I could stay dry.

7.       Memory Loss

Most people probably think this is one of the negatives about getting old.  You have to learn to use it to your advantage.  I’m reading a Nicholas Sparks book now that I know I read before.  A dog ran through the hedge into the good-looking neighbor’s yard.  That’s all I remember from the first time.  It’s like reading it for the first time!  I don’t have a clue about what is going to happen next.  I’ve found that even mysteries  I’ve read before become new again after a few months.  I really can’t remember “who done it”.  The same thing is true for movies and TV shows.  Just  think how easy I am to entertain.  I can just re-read a book or watch a re-run and I’m content.

8.       Impaired Vision

Not mine.  I hate squinting to read the fine print.  Bubba’s impaired vision is what I’m enjoying.  I never leave for work or any other function that he doesn’t compliment me on how I look.  He doesn’t seem to see me any older or any less attractive than I ever was.  That’s why I think his vision is not what it should be, but I am certainly not going to rush him in for an eye exam.

9.       Freedom

I’m looking forward to my retirement in 1 ½ years and I’m already enjoying Bubba’s.  Until recent years, I’ve always felt like my life was controlled by circumstances and responsibilities that I had no control over.  I love my job, but I want the freedom to go and come as I please.  I want to be able to go camping and stay an extra day if I’m having a good time.  I want more time to spend with Amelia.  I want to go fishing and to the beach.  I want to go to Montana.  I’m not waiting for life to begin with retirement, I trying to do as much as I can now.  Thankfully, Bubba has made that possible by taking on the household responsibilities during the week so that we can have every weekend free to do as we please.

10.   Naps

Remember how when your children were little, you could never seem to find time to take a nap?  No matter how tired you were you just could not take a nap and leave them to their own devices.  Well, now there is time for a nap! 

11.   Recognition

I’m not speaking about fame here – just the simple acknowledgement from your children that just maybe you knew what you were talking about when they were growing up.

12.   Alternative

We all know what the alternative to getting older is so we might as well be thankful for every day we’re given.  The older I get, the more I count my blessings. 

Sixty-five is just around the corner for me and I’m looking forward to it (and you should too).

Postscript from Nana

For Memorial Day Weekend, we had a site at Florida CavernsPark in Marianna.  We were sitting outside in our Valentine’s Day recliners when I could hear a little voice somewhere nearby singing, “Shoo fly, don’t bother me, shoo fly, don’t bother me.”  It reminded me of something that happened as we were taking Amelia to Baton Rouge not long ago.  I had intended to include it in my last post, but somehow forgot about it.  So here it is.  I thought it was precious.

We were traveling down I-10.  Amelia, the perfectly content traveler, was riding in the back seat of the truck.  All of a sudden we were in the midst of a downpour.  Amelia began singing from the back seat, “Rain, rain go away.  Come again another day.”  (Cute, right?)  She sang this over and over , but then the rain seemed to come down harder.  Then she said, “Okay now, louder and faster.” And she began singing the little song much louder and much faster.  And then, all of a sudden we were in the sunshine again.  The look on her face was priceless.  She was convinced that the little song (louder and faster) was responsible for the sunshine.  And I’m not too sure that it wasn’t.

Tupelo Festival and Bubba's Buddy

It you didn't visit the Tupelo Festival in Wewahitchka, FL, this weekend, you missed out.  Bubba and I usually go to the festival and almost always leave feeling like we have wasted our time.  This year was very different.  All the vendors' booths were well arranged and there were plenty of interesting things to see.  The food looked really good and there was a wide variety of things to eat.  The festival was well attended and the crowd stayed constant up until closing time.  We saw a lot of people we hadn't seen in a long time and really enjoyed the outing.  

The main reason for attending the Tupelo festival was to visit our friend Charles who had set up a booth to sell his hand crafted wood projects.  We found Charles and his wife, Helen, surrounded by a crowd of people who were admiring his work.  Charles started working with wood a few years ago and since he retired, he has had more time to devote to his hobby.  He makes everything from wooden chests to toys.

My favorite things that he makes are the trivets which are pictured on the right.  I have one or more of each one of them and today I bought one of the fish trivets for Amy's kitchen.  I know that she is going to love it as much as I do mine.

Charles is a unique individual.  He and Helen have been our friends for as long as I can remember, but Charles has been Bubba's buddy.  Years ago Bubba had surgery on his back and it was a very traumatic experience for him.  Charles was there with him through the surgery and was waiting in his room with him as he came out from under the anesthesia.  Bubba was very groggy and I leaned over him to tell him that Charles and Helen were there.  He said, "I know, he's my buddy." and he went back to sleep.
Charles has always been the person Bubba called if he needed help. He was the person he called if we broke down on the road.  He was the person he called if the hot water heater was spewing water everywhere.  He was in Milton with us after my nephew died in a house fire.  He was there when Bubba's mother and dad died and when my mother died. He was there when I had my pacemaker surgery. His wife, Helen, is also a very special person. She is a cancer survivor who pushed herself while taking chemo to get Amy one of her special afghans finished for a wedding present thirteen years ago. (Go, Helen!!)  I'll tell you all about Helen another time.
Charles is the person Bubba calls when he needs help, but he is also the person he calls when he wants to have fun like fishing or floundering.  
Charles plants a big garden every year.  He is an excellent farmer, but I think he gives away more than he keeps.  Whatever he has, he wants to share.  We have enjoyed everything from figs to satsumas to corn to squash from his garden - and it's not just us, he shares with anyone who stops by.
There is not a person in our community that he does not know.  He loves people and they love him.  
There is a quotation that says the more you give away, the richer you are.  According to that, Charles is a very wealthy man, but Bubba is even wealthier because Charles is his "buddy".

Helping with the Move

Baton Rouge is now home to Amy, Darryl, and Amelia.  We were fortunate to have been able to assist by keeping Amelia for a week two times in the past six weeks.  In the past we helped by lifting furniture, hauling the piano, putting down shelf paper, building a fence, etc.  I much prefer the role we played this time in the move.


We met Amy in Mobile as they were in route with their belongings.  We did many of the same things we did last time Amelia was with us.  We had pancakes every morning, played at the playground, and fed Bucky and  Doe-Doe, the goats.


We spent Tuesday and Wednesday at St. George Island in our travel trailer.  Amelia seems to enjoy that as much as we do.  This time I carried some toys for her to play with inside and she entertained herself very well when we were not at the beach.  The wind was blowing and the surf was rough, but she was content to play in the ankle deep water.  We also rented two movies that we watched every evening before bedtime.


Rather that bore you with every detail of the week, I'm posting some pictures to tell the story.

Amelia discovered that she likes her pancakes with cheese.

She loves the playground.  She calls the tire swing "the swing with the hole".

Amelia and Paw-Paw pose for a picture.

Amelia takes a break and enjoys a Yoo-Hoo.

We both enjoyed the opportunity to spend a special week with Amelia.

We treasure these times we share with Amelia.  We're always looking forward to the next visit.  She is a precious child and brings much joy to us all.