I returned to my condo on Thursday morning accompanied by my neighbors, Ike and Doris. Doris and Ginny drop in frequently and accompany me on short walks outside. Overall I have been pleasantly surprised at my progress. There have been a few blips primarily involving getting the systems back in gear, but the pain has been mostly in the form of pressure and discomfort. I'm halving the prescription pain med and only using at night supplemented by Motrin in the daytime. I'm still a little fuzzy brained and move slow but enjoying getting some reading done.
This morning is my first adventure onto the computer and working my way through the accumulated emails. Two new Facebook friends to greet. I'm still understanding how that all works but hope to have some fun with it while I recupperate.
Not much interest in food yet but my neighbor Arlene brought over homemade chicken soup last night and it was a real treat. Nothing like chicken soup for the soul or the system!
More later...Doris is ready to take me for a stroll on this cold, windy but sunny Florida morning. Thanks for all your good wishes and positive thoughts. It means a lot to me.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
Update from daughter Emily:
Mom's surgery went well (in and out in about 3 hours) and she is in recovery in the hospital with a nice view of the river. Ginny was there to see her once she got into the recovery room around 11:15ET and she seemed groggy but fine. They mentioned she will be there until Thursday most likely. I'll update if any other news ensues...
Mom's surgery went well (in and out in about 3 hours) and she is in recovery in the hospital with a nice view of the river. Ginny was there to see her once she got into the recovery room around 11:15ET and she seemed groggy but fine. They mentioned she will be there until Thursday most likely. I'll update if any other news ensues...
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Upcoming Event
My bag is packed, I'm ready to go, leaving via Ginny's auto before the sunrise on Monday Jan 26. Unfortunately the destination is not far away or exciting, but is Martin Memorial Hospital where I have a 7:30 a.m. date with a surgeon for a total hysterectomy. It's taken me 14 years to agree and hopefully it's a wise decision and I'll come out better than new. My principle caregivers (I'm tempted to say "handlers" will be my neighbors Doris and Ginny. I decided to include a photo of our Maine Lobster Banquet that Ginny and I feasted on at Doris's house in August. It's a more positive photo than I'm sure we'd make tomorrow morning.
Daughter Emily will post some progress reports here on the blog until I can get my hands back on a keyboard. I have a stack of books to read, some computer projects lined up, and some of Les's home health equipment so I should be good to go when the hospital sends me out the door in 3-4 days. So until I can get back to you...so long for a while.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Happy New Year
Emily, Gayle and Margaret are ready to party!
Michael with Josh
Granddaughter KatherineWell we are a week into the new year and a week after my birthday. Somehow it seems longer as a lot has happened since I wrote my Christmas Post. I flew to Chicago, landing despite fog, on Saturday the 27 to attend a 50ies themed Bridal shower and batchelorette party for nephew Luke's Bride-to-be Caitlin. I managed to keep up with the younger women until about 12:30 a.m. despite my 4 a.m. rising time. On Sunday they treated me to a brunch as a pre birthday celebration.
Later that day Michael and Karen brought Katherine, Josh and Carl to Ginny's for a visit. Then Monday morning Ginny and I hit the road for Florida having beautiful clear skies and dry roads all the way back to Stuart. The 31st neighbors had us over for a wonderful dinner with birthday candles in my dessert before going on to another neighbors for New Years toasts. I began the New Year with a long bike ride which I hope heralds the start of a good year. I've also been working on my Facebook page where more photos are available.
I will be the "old lady off the road" for a while as I will have major surgery Jan 26 for a hysterectomy. I've been avoiding this since 1995 when my excuse was going sailing. Now however I'm told the size and location of fibroids make it necessary. I plan to use the blog for updates. Meantime I have one more camping adventure first meeting sailing friends in our land "yachts" at nearby Jonathan Dickenson State Park January 21. I plan to keep up the biking until the 25th! We've also had good weather for our pool exercise class. I'm already looking forward to returning to these activies.
Have a happy and healthy New Year everyone.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Florida Christmas
"Don't you miss a white Christmas?" I am asked since I left Illinois in 1996. I wanted to share my Florida Christmas this year. It began with a long bicycle ride accompanied by my neighbors the Schauers. We started at 7:15 a.m. and it was delightful with the early sun rays and the quiet neighborhood streets. Mid morning I headed to the beach to take advantage of firm sand for walking as the low tide would be 1: 15 p.m. There were few others walking that beach and the strong winds created beautiful breaking waves. After the walk I enjoyed a picnic lunch and watched as more and more people came to stake their territory on the beach. A kite surfer was entertainment in itself.
Returning home I headed for the pool where the water was warm even for me. My dinner plans were cancelled due to an illness but I enjoyed my leftovers eaten by candlelight followed by a romantic comedy movie, "Kate and Leopold", I recommend palm trees for Christmas and would welcome company in 2009. You only need to learn the Florida version of the 12 Days of Christmas where the traditional verses are substituted with the following:
1st Day A seagull in a Sabal Palm Tree 2nd Day 2 Turtle Eggs 3rd Day 3 Cracker Cows 4th Day 4 Spanish Ships 5th day 5 Key Lime Pies 6th days 6 Gators Grinning 7th Day 7 Shuttles Launching 8th Day 8 Dolphins Dancing 9th day 9 Ospreys Nesting 10th Day 10 Flamingoes Flapping 11th Day 11 Grannies Golfing and 12th Day 12 Panthers Purring.
Thanks to my water exercise instructor and her grandson's preschool. By the way we had class in the pool on the 24th and 26th. It's a wonderful life! Happy New Year!
Returning home I headed for the pool where the water was warm even for me. My dinner plans were cancelled due to an illness but I enjoyed my leftovers eaten by candlelight followed by a romantic comedy movie, "Kate and Leopold", I recommend palm trees for Christmas and would welcome company in 2009. You only need to learn the Florida version of the 12 Days of Christmas where the traditional verses are substituted with the following:
1st Day A seagull in a Sabal Palm Tree 2nd Day 2 Turtle Eggs 3rd Day 3 Cracker Cows 4th Day 4 Spanish Ships 5th day 5 Key Lime Pies 6th days 6 Gators Grinning 7th Day 7 Shuttles Launching 8th Day 8 Dolphins Dancing 9th day 9 Ospreys Nesting 10th Day 10 Flamingoes Flapping 11th Day 11 Grannies Golfing and 12th Day 12 Panthers Purring.
Thanks to my water exercise instructor and her grandson's preschool. By the way we had class in the pool on the 24th and 26th. It's a wonderful life! Happy New Year!
Friday, December 12, 2008
Christmas Elf bakes cookies
Tis the season as they say and I guess today I worked my way into it a bit. To start with I forced myself to concentrate on cleaning/straightening the house including washing the kitchen area floor. I put up a few holiday trimmings. Perhaps I’ll photograph the elf I brought back from Rockford. We had divided up the Christmas decorations but the elf was all I took. Somehow he really appealed to me though I can’t say I have any childhood memory of his role in childhood Christmases. Then I put some Christmas CD’s into the player including the German one I bought there last Christmas. Listening to some of those songs brought back wonderful memories of last Christmas in Germany.
While it wasn’t brought about by the time of year, I made a batch of cookies which is really the reason I decided to write tonight. It all started with a jar of peanut butter. Earlier this week I finally finished the Smart Balance Peanut Butter that traveled all the way to Newfoundland and back. The jar on the pantry shelf, Smuckers Natural, had been there quite a while. I would not get the oil to blend in. The date of suggested “use by” was Nov 13, 2008 so perhaps that was the problem. Cookies: that was the answer for this jar. So I “googled” Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies. The recipe I chose out of the 400,000 choices did not have chocolate but I added it any way. They turned out so great and were so simple I wanted to pass it along. It might work to make with kids too.
1 16 oz jar Natural Peanut Butter room temperature
½ cup dark brown sugar
½ cup white sugar
2 eggs, room temperature
Cocoa powder
1 teaspoon Vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
With a large spoon, mix up the peanut butter with the sugars until well blended(I already cut the sugar quantity in half and used brown instead of all white). Add eggs one at a time and mix well. Add cocoa powder. I didn’t measure but it was probably ¼ cup or less. Mix well. Add vanilla and soda and mix again.
Form into small balls and place on a cookie sheet that has been covered with parchment paper. After placing as many balls as will fit on the sheet, gently press a fork across the each cookie to make a cross pattern.
Bake 10 minutes in a 350 degree preheated oven. Cookies will be soft when they come out and should stay on the cookie sheet for at least five minutes before being transferred to a rack for more cooling. Yum! I would guess it made about 3 dozen small cookies.
While it wasn’t brought about by the time of year, I made a batch of cookies which is really the reason I decided to write tonight. It all started with a jar of peanut butter. Earlier this week I finally finished the Smart Balance Peanut Butter that traveled all the way to Newfoundland and back. The jar on the pantry shelf, Smuckers Natural, had been there quite a while. I would not get the oil to blend in. The date of suggested “use by” was Nov 13, 2008 so perhaps that was the problem. Cookies: that was the answer for this jar. So I “googled” Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies. The recipe I chose out of the 400,000 choices did not have chocolate but I added it any way. They turned out so great and were so simple I wanted to pass it along. It might work to make with kids too.
1 16 oz jar Natural Peanut Butter room temperature
½ cup dark brown sugar
½ cup white sugar
2 eggs, room temperature
Cocoa powder
1 teaspoon Vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
With a large spoon, mix up the peanut butter with the sugars until well blended(I already cut the sugar quantity in half and used brown instead of all white). Add eggs one at a time and mix well. Add cocoa powder. I didn’t measure but it was probably ¼ cup or less. Mix well. Add vanilla and soda and mix again.
Form into small balls and place on a cookie sheet that has been covered with parchment paper. After placing as many balls as will fit on the sheet, gently press a fork across the each cookie to make a cross pattern.
Bake 10 minutes in a 350 degree preheated oven. Cookies will be soft when they come out and should stay on the cookie sheet for at least five minutes before being transferred to a rack for more cooling. Yum! I would guess it made about 3 dozen small cookies.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Florida State Parks
December 3, 2008 Mike Roess Gold Head State Park Keystone Heights Florida This was one of the first state parks in Florida. It was created from land donated by Mike Roess and developed by the CCC from 1935 to 1939. A sign I found said they were expert craftsmen working with a crew of 18-25 year olds. The picnic benches they created are a work of art. I photographed one of them.
The park has over 2300 acres on rolling sandhills in an area known as the Central Florida Ridge with remnants of ancient dunes formed over thousands of years by rising and lowering sea levels according to the informative brochure handed out with the registration. There are a number of types of vegetation here including a spring fed ravine. The spring eventually empties to form Lake Johnson near my campsite. The park lakes are very low with reoccurring droughts. There are nice rental cabins in the park with screen porches overlooking the lake.
After arriving this afternoon, I biked around the park. It was a great ride with gradual hills. The day had started chilly and was in the upper 50’s but I shed my jacket before long. On my return another camper from near Beaver Dam Wisconsin came over to visit intrigued by my rig. “Never saw anything like it” was the opening line. Of course I went into my sales pitch.
The facilities here are really great and look quite new from picnic benches to the bath house which includes a baby changing table and washer and dryer. Unfortunately there is no heat.
This morning I stopped to photograph the St. Augustine lighthouse. It’s such a beauty. Then did some shopping at Camping World, took a look at the Gander Store but it was very “hunter” oriented, and made a couple of clothes buys at a Liz Claiborne outlet store. Have to help the economy along, don’t I? I paid 1.73/gal for my fill up and I’d averaged over 14 miles to the gallon! Down the road I saw $1.69 natch.
I stopped at Green Cove Springs and ate my lunch overlooking the St. John’s River in a boat repair facility. I was surprised how wide the river is there. I would love to cruise the river someday. We had hoped to do it on Hunky Dory’s maiden voyage but were interrupted by a hurricane.
The trip here via Rte 16 and 21 was through some scenic countryside and few towns. I saw a sign for Bear crossing. Oh and I spotted a deer on my bike ride. Tomorrow I’m off to Payne’s Prairie near Gainesville.
Friday, December 05, 2008 Payne’s Prairie State Park The last two days have been busy. The primary thought I’ve had is the comparison to this trip last year. Many of the same people are here and the activities are much the same, but I feel so much more comfortable with the group and with handling my van. Last year I didn’t have nerve enough to drive into Gainesville nor to offer to ferry people to activities outside the campground. This year I did both without hestitation.
Thursday my trip to Gainesville went smoothly and I particularly enjoyed the countryside on the two lane roads. I was in Gainesville shortly after 11 and managed to get the GPS to find the Museum of Natural History which had been recommended. Arriving there I was stumped by the parking and parked in a tow zone in order to walk over to a parking kiosk to ask for advice. For $3 I was admitted to the small parking area but told I would find more space around the building. Another Roadtrek was there with an Obama bumper sticker—two positives. I later learned that it was the vehicle belonging to the rally organizers and at the rally there was another Roadtrek with an Obama sticker.
The museum is really great. It is free except for two exhibits, one aimed at kids “Gagology” and the Butterfly House with an incredible array of species mostly from the rain forest of Brazil. It was wonderful to watch them. A staff member said they were more active this day then they had been. Today someone went and said they were not active at all because of clouds. They prefer sunny warm days just like me!
I also visited the exhibit on the Florida natives before heading for the Art Museum next door where I had lunch and saw an exhibit on Post War Miami design that was very interesting.
My friend Susan arrived at the campground right behind me. The evening was cold but the campfire helped as we reacquainted and met newcomers. Friday I volunteered to be one of the drivers as we headed for our nature hike about 5 miles down the road but still part of the park. Susan and another solo, Lorraine, rode with me. Four Roadtrekers bicycled but I had already decided to drive. It was a great two hour walk searching out birds. We also saw the wild horses but no bison or deer.
After lunch Susan, Lorraine and I headed out to the park visitors center and then to the small town of Eviston (pronounced just like Illinois’ Evanston). Located there is one of the oldest continuously operating post offices with fresh vegetable in the small store. I bought some fresh arugula picked that morning.
Tonight was our potluck, always a gastronomical treat. Stories of travels in Roadtreks were told many of which involved a trip to Alaska a number of them had made together. I’m supposed to visit the town of Chicken (don’t miss the ghost town and read the book Tisha before the trip.) Look for Mukluk Bettys for good food are some I remember.
Monday Dec 8 Back in Stuart and trying to catch up on mail etc.
Saturday at the rally was overcast as we walked to the trail for more bird watching. In total 35 species were spotted during the rally. Certainly I did not see that many but still was thrilled I saw more than last year. High lights of Saturdays walk included watching 3 eagles go after a fish that an egret had caught. The eagles won. Also spotting a large night heron somewhat blending into his surroundings. He was close enough to see without glasses but hidden enough that we missed him on the first pass. Also a pair of white pelicans.
The park has over 2300 acres on rolling sandhills in an area known as the Central Florida Ridge with remnants of ancient dunes formed over thousands of years by rising and lowering sea levels according to the informative brochure handed out with the registration. There are a number of types of vegetation here including a spring fed ravine. The spring eventually empties to form Lake Johnson near my campsite. The park lakes are very low with reoccurring droughts. There are nice rental cabins in the park with screen porches overlooking the lake.
After arriving this afternoon, I biked around the park. It was a great ride with gradual hills. The day had started chilly and was in the upper 50’s but I shed my jacket before long. On my return another camper from near Beaver Dam Wisconsin came over to visit intrigued by my rig. “Never saw anything like it” was the opening line. Of course I went into my sales pitch.
The facilities here are really great and look quite new from picnic benches to the bath house which includes a baby changing table and washer and dryer. Unfortunately there is no heat.
This morning I stopped to photograph the St. Augustine lighthouse. It’s such a beauty. Then did some shopping at Camping World, took a look at the Gander Store but it was very “hunter” oriented, and made a couple of clothes buys at a Liz Claiborne outlet store. Have to help the economy along, don’t I? I paid 1.73/gal for my fill up and I’d averaged over 14 miles to the gallon! Down the road I saw $1.69 natch.
I stopped at Green Cove Springs and ate my lunch overlooking the St. John’s River in a boat repair facility. I was surprised how wide the river is there. I would love to cruise the river someday. We had hoped to do it on Hunky Dory’s maiden voyage but were interrupted by a hurricane.
The trip here via Rte 16 and 21 was through some scenic countryside and few towns. I saw a sign for Bear crossing. Oh and I spotted a deer on my bike ride. Tomorrow I’m off to Payne’s Prairie near Gainesville.
Friday, December 05, 2008 Payne’s Prairie State Park The last two days have been busy. The primary thought I’ve had is the comparison to this trip last year. Many of the same people are here and the activities are much the same, but I feel so much more comfortable with the group and with handling my van. Last year I didn’t have nerve enough to drive into Gainesville nor to offer to ferry people to activities outside the campground. This year I did both without hestitation.
Thursday my trip to Gainesville went smoothly and I particularly enjoyed the countryside on the two lane roads. I was in Gainesville shortly after 11 and managed to get the GPS to find the Museum of Natural History which had been recommended. Arriving there I was stumped by the parking and parked in a tow zone in order to walk over to a parking kiosk to ask for advice. For $3 I was admitted to the small parking area but told I would find more space around the building. Another Roadtrek was there with an Obama bumper sticker—two positives. I later learned that it was the vehicle belonging to the rally organizers and at the rally there was another Roadtrek with an Obama sticker.
The museum is really great. It is free except for two exhibits, one aimed at kids “Gagology” and the Butterfly House with an incredible array of species mostly from the rain forest of Brazil. It was wonderful to watch them. A staff member said they were more active this day then they had been. Today someone went and said they were not active at all because of clouds. They prefer sunny warm days just like me!
I also visited the exhibit on the Florida natives before heading for the Art Museum next door where I had lunch and saw an exhibit on Post War Miami design that was very interesting.
My friend Susan arrived at the campground right behind me. The evening was cold but the campfire helped as we reacquainted and met newcomers. Friday I volunteered to be one of the drivers as we headed for our nature hike about 5 miles down the road but still part of the park. Susan and another solo, Lorraine, rode with me. Four Roadtrekers bicycled but I had already decided to drive. It was a great two hour walk searching out birds. We also saw the wild horses but no bison or deer.
After lunch Susan, Lorraine and I headed out to the park visitors center and then to the small town of Eviston (pronounced just like Illinois’ Evanston). Located there is one of the oldest continuously operating post offices with fresh vegetable in the small store. I bought some fresh arugula picked that morning.
Tonight was our potluck, always a gastronomical treat. Stories of travels in Roadtreks were told many of which involved a trip to Alaska a number of them had made together. I’m supposed to visit the town of Chicken (don’t miss the ghost town and read the book Tisha before the trip.) Look for Mukluk Bettys for good food are some I remember.
Monday Dec 8 Back in Stuart and trying to catch up on mail etc.
Saturday at the rally was overcast as we walked to the trail for more bird watching. In total 35 species were spotted during the rally. Certainly I did not see that many but still was thrilled I saw more than last year. High lights of Saturdays walk included watching 3 eagles go after a fish that an egret had caught. The eagles won. Also spotting a large night heron somewhat blending into his surroundings. He was close enough to see without glasses but hidden enough that we missed him on the first pass. Also a pair of white pelicans.
Photos of the camping rally taken by leader Hugh can be seen through this link http://albums.phanfare.com/isolated/IRgMHQnC/1088091/3105644
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