July 11-30

From what has been a rainy, hot MO,

I really haven't had a lot to write about so a catch-up won't take much space.

We have had our front walk removed as well as the concrete access to our house - to be replaced by a 10x6 concrete entrance and then a slope to the driveway -- trying to plan ahead to the days that we might need wheelchair access to the front door. I don't think our kitchen door is wide enough for a wheelchair - or it would be a very tight fit. The forms are in place and the gravel dumped so we are just waiting for a few dry days and concrete to be delivered.

I have completed the envelopes for Mobile Meals each Friday and then delivered them to the hospital - all in all it takes less than 45 minutes. Ron and Darla have been doing the typing on Monday mornings.

We have escaped the heavy rains that went north of us, but we have still seen the effects locally as the Grand River was many feet above flood stage for a third time this spring - farmers haven't had much of a chance and I can't imagine how much has been spent of fruitless planting and the needed gas. Highway 36 was closed for a short time east of Chillicothe and the highway west of Macon was closed for a longer time.

On Monday this week, I drove Sharon Mc to NKC hospital for a two week checkup after having a knee replacement. Her husband died a year ago. One son spent several days here when she was in the hospital, but needed to return to work. It was actually a nice outing and I enjoyed my time with Sharon.

On Tuesday, Jim and I made a trip to Liberty for my annual mammogram - should get the written results tomorrow - I neglected to call on Tuesday to get the results. Since I've not had a phone call from the clinic, I am assuming that all is well. Afterwards, we made a few stops to cover errands that we had accumulated and then returned to Chillicothe about 2:30. Trixie was in hysterics and I soon discovered that Abby had been trapped in an upstairs bedroom since about 7:00 in the a.m. We usually count noses, but Jim was in a hurry (had forgotten my appointment was at 10:00 and was thinking 9:00.)

I made a quick trip to HyVee when we returned and got back home to see Jim glued to the tv with news coming in on the LA earthquake. Jim has a brother and sister that live in the LA area as well as nieces and nephews. We have heard from Jim's brother that all is well with his family and am assuming all is well with his sister.

Jim joined the old fogies for breakfast this morning and I went to Nick's for a decadent breakfast - Jim had wholewheat toast. We left here about 11:00 to head to Macon - with a quick stop at one of my cousin's home to leave some extra articles. We went to the Maples Repertory Theater in Macon to see "Blithe Spirit" - yes, I saw it a few weeks ago, but Jim thought he would like to see it and I knew I would enjoy it again. We had good seats up close, but Jim had forgotten to take his hearing aids. I thought the sound level was excellent and diction was great, but Jim didn't catch all that was going on. Afterwards we went to the Pear Tree Deli - Jim having one of his favorite sandwiches and I had a half pizza - about the best I've eaten in years. We may go back this week to a matinee of "High School Musical" - which ends on Sunday.

We don't have a lot on the calendar coming up - Jim sees his foot doctor in early August. Jim has one toenail that is double to triple in depth and causes him trouble. Football will be starting two-a-days soon and that means the fall season is almost upon us.

Doug and Dara are flying to the Pacific Northwest in about 20 days to spend a week. Both are looking forward to the trip.

Be safe.
B.

July 3-10

I spent the early evening of July 4 at the Fairchild residence. Their home now overlooks the city park and is an ideal place to see evening fireworks. They cook out with everyone bringing in food items. I leave early as I know the "girls" do not like fireworks. I had only been home a brief time when the phone rang that the guys were about 15 minutes west of Chillicothe - about an hour earlier than most years.

Fishing was good in Canada as well as the weather. They had three fish fries and gorged on the onion rings and potatoes. I am sure the other meals were equally good as Dr. Eden is a good cook.

I had not planned anything for the next few days as I knew Jim would need a few days to recuperate. He mentioned the next morning that he had a tooth that was bothering him so I suggested that on Monday he call the dentist's office to get an appointment. Monday and Tuesday saw no action on his part, but he returned from breakfast on Wednesday with a very pained look on his face and headed to the dentist's office. He ended up having one tooth pulled (had cracked) and will eventually get something to bridge the gap.

On Wednesday, I had been invited by Pat to go with a group of "seniors" from the local Methodist Church to see a play at the Maples Repertory at Macon. This building originally was built (1888 or 1889) as the Jobson Opera House by a brother of my great-grandfather. I don't remember dad or anyone ever talking about this building or ever going by the building and having it pointed out. Anyway, the building later became a cinema theater and later was renovated as a live performance venue. We saw "Blithe Spirit" and it was delightful. The stage setting was great, the diction of the actors was very understandable, etc., etc.

I joined the ladies for breakfast this morning and have spent much of the rest of the day inside - not terribly hot, but the humidity is killing. We had a very large group there and it was impossible to keep up with all the topics of discussion.

We are going to HyVee tonight for our second cooking class - this time the emphasis is on adding grains to your food intake. We are looking forward to the outing. I had thought Jim might beg off as he still has some pain today, but he didn't give me any static.

My only surviving aunt on my dad's side of the family (uncles are deceased), was life flighted to Liberty earlier this week. Jim and I made a quick trip to Liberty on Tuesday to see her and also do a couple of errands that had accumulated. She is quite remarkable at the age of 87 and when I talked with one of her children about 15 minutes ago, she had been released from the hospital and will stay a few days with her oldest daughter. I know Aunt Maxine will be pushing to get back home as soon as possible.

We are planning on going to the Wabash again this Saturday to eat and then hear the band play. I have no idea which band it is, but we do enjoy the outing.

Be safe.
B.

June 18- July 2

From a stormy MO!

The past few weeks have been rather interesting on a weather setting - rain (light and torrential), lightning and thunder, wind, and today rather good size hail (most was small today, but some looked about the diameter of a nickel). The Grand River may be back in its banks, but with the torrential rain we received this afternoon - I'm guessing it will go up again. I think the height of the river at one time was a little more than 11 feet above flood stage. The farmers in this area (as well as others) are taking quite a hit. I don't think most of the lower areas of Chillicothe had much flooding.

Jim left on the 26th with four others for Canada and a week of fishing. I have been rather "slumming" it since then - usually eat breakfast out, have spent some time with Pat at Jamesport and Trenton - then today we explored some stores in Chillicothe. I have slept in a couple of mornings and didn't have any opposition from the two girls.

I am going over to Bob and Karen's on Friday for a cookout, but won't stay to watch the fireworks in the park. The girls are quite good during thunder storms, but they don't like fireworks. I'll just close the blinds at home and locate the channel with the live concert back East and see if the music will distract them some. Jim and the guys should be back in Chillicothe by 9:30 - or a little earlier.

We have joined Pat and Ron at the Wabash for BBQ and then to attend the outdoor concert by local bands. This past weekend they were good enough to include me so we made a threesome.

Be safe.
B.