Just got back from the hospital and mom is doing fine. Came through the surgery with flying colors - although she may not feel that way at the moment. It took about 2 1/2 hours to install a new knee. Pretty amazing.
Now I'm waiting for the hospice and home care folks to visit dad. The nurse should be here in a half-hour or so. And I'm still hoping for a workout.
So far...so good...
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Gettin' a Little Chilly
Brrrrrr. Took the jeep in for service at the crack o' dawn this morning. It was 33 degrees. The rain was mixed with snow. It was dark. I turned the heat up when I got home. Took my sweater off then put it back on. On November 1st we go off daylight savings time which means it will be getting dark shortly after 4 PM. Shit...
On the other hand, I will be moving to the folks tomorrow for some period of time...and it is unlikely I will be cold there. The wood stove will be going full tilt. I'll be taking mom to the hospital tomorrow morning at 6 AM. She's scheduled for a knee replacement at 8 AM.
I hope to be able to spend part of the day here at my digs and get my customary workout every day...but it's not yet clear how this will all play out. Fortunately, dad seems to be reasonably chipper at the moment. My sister, Linda, and I will be dividing chores although there are some dad duties that she doesn't feel comfortable performing. Can't say that I blame her...
Spent about three hours yesterday at the folks' raking leaves, clearing the gutters and sweeping the driveway. Second time in about two weeks; and more leaves accumulated last night. The folks think leaf sweeping is important and I certainly don't mind the exercise. But it's kinda humorous when you look around their neighborhood; a lot of folks won't even pick up the garbage that the ravens/bears get into - much less rake leaves. But then again most of the folks in the neighborhood don't have yards...
On the other hand, the immediate neighbors are very nice and are always very solicitous of the elders.
I may be a little spotty on posting for awhile...
Later gang.
On the other hand, I will be moving to the folks tomorrow for some period of time...and it is unlikely I will be cold there. The wood stove will be going full tilt. I'll be taking mom to the hospital tomorrow morning at 6 AM. She's scheduled for a knee replacement at 8 AM.
I hope to be able to spend part of the day here at my digs and get my customary workout every day...but it's not yet clear how this will all play out. Fortunately, dad seems to be reasonably chipper at the moment. My sister, Linda, and I will be dividing chores although there are some dad duties that she doesn't feel comfortable performing. Can't say that I blame her...
Spent about three hours yesterday at the folks' raking leaves, clearing the gutters and sweeping the driveway. Second time in about two weeks; and more leaves accumulated last night. The folks think leaf sweeping is important and I certainly don't mind the exercise. But it's kinda humorous when you look around their neighborhood; a lot of folks won't even pick up the garbage that the ravens/bears get into - much less rake leaves. But then again most of the folks in the neighborhood don't have yards...
On the other hand, the immediate neighbors are very nice and are always very solicitous of the elders.
I may be a little spotty on posting for awhile...
Later gang.
Monday, October 26, 2009
It Has Come to My Attention...
...that a certain picture has been circulating on the internet that purports to portray yours truly as an abuser of deer. I have located the offending image (below) and as anyone can see, I am clearly aiming at the green...not the deer. Look at my tootsies...they are lined-up well to the left of the supposed target ungulate. Trickery. Trickery. Trickery.
Although, come to think of it, hunting these semi-domesticated deer with a golf club and ball is certainly more sportsmanlike than with a thirty-ought-six (assuming such a weapon still exists). Not to mention with an assault rifle...
And while we're on the subject of wildlife...I must mention that I have added a new bird to my life list. A Downy Woodpecker. Black and white guy...never seen him before...but I spotted him from the back of my folk's trailer while mom and I were watching the ravens devour the hearty breakfast she had provided to them. The Downy Woodpecker is rare in Southeast Alaska. Wish I had my camera at the time...
Elmo carefully aims at the green...taking every precaution to avoid disturbing his four-legged pal
Although, come to think of it, hunting these semi-domesticated deer with a golf club and ball is certainly more sportsmanlike than with a thirty-ought-six (assuming such a weapon still exists). Not to mention with an assault rifle...
And while we're on the subject of wildlife...I must mention that I have added a new bird to my life list. A Downy Woodpecker. Black and white guy...never seen him before...but I spotted him from the back of my folk's trailer while mom and I were watching the ravens devour the hearty breakfast she had provided to them. The Downy Woodpecker is rare in Southeast Alaska. Wish I had my camera at the time...
Elmo carefully aims at the green...taking every precaution to avoid disturbing his four-legged pal
In other news - got a call from mom just as I was headed into the grocery store this afternoon. Dr. Smith had called and unfortunately spoke to dad. Dad's translation was somewhat garbled by virtue of his congenital habit of saying "yeah" to anyone talking to him regardless of whether or not he has heard a word spoken. And over the phone he hears very few words. Apparently instructions were given...but they remain a mystery...
I am awaiting a call-back from Kim's nurse to find out what was really said...
Life is grand!
I am awaiting a call-back from Kim's nurse to find out what was really said...
Life is grand!
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Milton Supman 1926 - 2009
R.I.P. Milton Supman, a.k.a. Soupy Sales, children's television show host from the late 1950's through the mid-1960's. Although I was never a huge fan, I certainly recall watching his show from time-to-time. I pegged him as a dope, but his memorial in the Washington Post this morning notes that Soupy was occasionally in trouble with the authorities for his on camera hi jinx including this gem:
I spoke briefly to Leah on Thursday to wish her a happy birthday. She was getting ready to go to dinner with Chris. Sounds like her job is kinda dicey - this past week she's been working a public health swine flu hotline - not a lot of fun when your message is "We're out of vaccine."
Sounds like the immunization effort is a bit of a cock-up nationwide and the public health folks have their work cut-out for them. First the shortage of vaccine. And now the whack-jobs and flim-flammers are getting into the act big time. The internet is full of scary nonsense about the lack of effectiveness and danger of the vaccine and the patent medicine quacks are further muddying the waters hocking a plethora of homeopathic remedies and prophylactics.
If this winter turns into the 'perfect storm' of influenza and our health care system (particularly our hospital system) is overwhelmed by seasonal and H1N1 flu - something that is very possible - one can, of course, then expect the mullah's to weigh-in with the customary "I told you so's" of the "This is God's retribution for [INSERT YOUR PET PEEVE HERE]" variety.
At times I wonder if this country is governable...
With one minute of airtime to fill at the end of his show, he told his young viewers to sneak into their parents' bedrooms, find their wallets and "take some of those green pieces of paper with pictures of George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Lincoln and Jefferson on them." "Send them to me," he said, "and I'll send you a postcard from Puerto Rico."In other news, I had a busy day yesterday getting mom cleared for surgery next Friday. We paid a visit to her regular doc and then to the hospital for some lab work and a pre-op briefing. No show stoppers so far.
I spoke briefly to Leah on Thursday to wish her a happy birthday. She was getting ready to go to dinner with Chris. Sounds like her job is kinda dicey - this past week she's been working a public health swine flu hotline - not a lot of fun when your message is "We're out of vaccine."
Sounds like the immunization effort is a bit of a cock-up nationwide and the public health folks have their work cut-out for them. First the shortage of vaccine. And now the whack-jobs and flim-flammers are getting into the act big time. The internet is full of scary nonsense about the lack of effectiveness and danger of the vaccine and the patent medicine quacks are further muddying the waters hocking a plethora of homeopathic remedies and prophylactics.
If this winter turns into the 'perfect storm' of influenza and our health care system (particularly our hospital system) is overwhelmed by seasonal and H1N1 flu - something that is very possible - one can, of course, then expect the mullah's to weigh-in with the customary "I told you so's" of the "This is God's retribution for [INSERT YOUR PET PEEVE HERE]" variety.
At times I wonder if this country is governable...
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Happy Birthday Leah and Amanda
Amanda and Leah turn 26 years young today. Happy Birthday gals! I only wish I could share the day with them in person. They are wonderful.
Leah and Amanda have always been sweeties!
In other news, I've been busy, busy, busy. Yesterday was devoted to serious cooking. I made a LARGE batch of beef stock in anticipation of doing lots of cooking while residing at the elders this next month. And I prepared supper for the whole tribe last evening.
It's always a question mark whenever I try anything new with the family - but the saute of scallops with mustard, rice with parsley, and glazed carrots with apricots and almonds seemed to go down pretty well. And the Apple Brown Betty dessert was mighty tasty if I do say so myself.
Earlier this week I made a large batch of chicken noodle soup which is dad's favorite breakfast food...
Tomorrow I'll accompany mom to her primary care doc for her pre-surgery check-up. And then we have a pre-op gig at the hospital tomorrow afternoon. She's scheduled for her knee replacement on October 30th - none to soon - her pain is extreme. She's ready to get this show on the road.
Last week's beautiful fall weather is now just a fading memory. Back to the normal October diet of rain and wind. The trees are now mostly bare. The very brief fall color is gone and the leaves are now a soggy brown mash underfoot. Yesterday mom noted that our first snow last year was on October 24th. Don't think we'll get any snow this next week but it won't be long...
I see that Microsoft is releasing its new operating system. This is a good thing. I desperately need a new desktop computer. Thought this one was going to have a stroke processing my vacation pics. Or maybe it's computer Alzheimer's...it just kinda stops every few minutes and grinds away like it's forgotten what it's supposed to be doing... It's over six years old which is about 100 in computing years.
Later gang!
Leah and Amanda have always been sweeties!
In other news, I've been busy, busy, busy. Yesterday was devoted to serious cooking. I made a LARGE batch of beef stock in anticipation of doing lots of cooking while residing at the elders this next month. And I prepared supper for the whole tribe last evening.
It's always a question mark whenever I try anything new with the family - but the saute of scallops with mustard, rice with parsley, and glazed carrots with apricots and almonds seemed to go down pretty well. And the Apple Brown Betty dessert was mighty tasty if I do say so myself.
Earlier this week I made a large batch of chicken noodle soup which is dad's favorite breakfast food...
Tomorrow I'll accompany mom to her primary care doc for her pre-surgery check-up. And then we have a pre-op gig at the hospital tomorrow afternoon. She's scheduled for her knee replacement on October 30th - none to soon - her pain is extreme. She's ready to get this show on the road.
Last week's beautiful fall weather is now just a fading memory. Back to the normal October diet of rain and wind. The trees are now mostly bare. The very brief fall color is gone and the leaves are now a soggy brown mash underfoot. Yesterday mom noted that our first snow last year was on October 24th. Don't think we'll get any snow this next week but it won't be long...
I see that Microsoft is releasing its new operating system. This is a good thing. I desperately need a new desktop computer. Thought this one was going to have a stroke processing my vacation pics. Or maybe it's computer Alzheimer's...it just kinda stops every few minutes and grinds away like it's forgotten what it's supposed to be doing... It's over six years old which is about 100 in computing years.
Later gang!
Monday, October 19, 2009
Vacation Pics Posted
Whew! Finally finished photoshopping and posting my vacation pics. What an ordeal. Bet I've got at least 100 hours invested. Was working on it until midnight last night and then dove-in again at the crack-o'-dawn this morning.
And damn! Just went back and viewed the slide show again...and sure enough, spotted some spelling and grammatical errors as well as a few pics that I wish I had cropped or fiddled with in some other fashion. But I am bound by the oath I took as a retiree - when a project that's supposed to be fun begins to feel like work - then it's time to put a fork in it...
At any rate, check 'em out at: http://classic.kodakgallery.com/elmerlindstrom - if this link isn't "hot" then go find it under Alaska Related Links on the right...
The Kodak Website is under renovation. Looks the same externally - at least for the moment - but the guts have been seriously redone. And I'm not sure I like it. I had a hell of time uploading stuff and the editing process was REALLY slow. But on the other hand, it may be my decrepit computer.
In any event, enjoy the pics. I'm headed to the elders and then for a workout. And I need to make some chicken soup for dad...
TallyHo!
And damn! Just went back and viewed the slide show again...and sure enough, spotted some spelling and grammatical errors as well as a few pics that I wish I had cropped or fiddled with in some other fashion. But I am bound by the oath I took as a retiree - when a project that's supposed to be fun begins to feel like work - then it's time to put a fork in it...
At any rate, check 'em out at: http://classic.kodakgallery.com/elmerlindstrom - if this link isn't "hot" then go find it under Alaska Related Links on the right...
The Kodak Website is under renovation. Looks the same externally - at least for the moment - but the guts have been seriously redone. And I'm not sure I like it. I had a hell of time uploading stuff and the editing process was REALLY slow. But on the other hand, it may be my decrepit computer.
In any event, enjoy the pics. I'm headed to the elders and then for a workout. And I need to make some chicken soup for dad...
TallyHo!
Friday, October 16, 2009
Fall Chores
A busy couple of days of outdoor chores. I spent much of Wednesday putting auntie's yard to bed for the season - even mowed one last time - pretty amazing for October. Yesterday was spent at my folks doing the same drill - plus chimney stack change-out and fall gutter cleaning. Whew! I'm feeling a mite sore today. It's not hard work but there's lots of bending over which I always feel in the back of my thighs and my lower back. No harm done however...
I also finished photoshopping all the Redmond golf pics and got them on a disc and delivered to Laura. They look VERY similar to last year's pics except, of course, we're all a year older.
Laura just got back from Palm Desert where she closed on the sale of her old condo on Tuesday followed by closing on the new and bigger condo on Wednesday. She's now got a contractor beavering away on some improvements. And she bought a golf cart! Not bad for five days work including two travel days... She appeared tired but content.
Yesterday I spoke to Leah and she sounded great. She had her first day of work at Clackamas County and it went well - aside from the fact they are horribly disorganized about this H1N1 immunization thing. Just like the rest of the country. Leah's moving into a new apartment in Portland. It sounds really nice. And most amazingly it is owned by Steve and Maria Marks. Steve practiced law in Juneau and Maria (Keithahn) Marks graduated from JDHS the same year I graduated. A small world, ain't it?
It's Leah's and Amanda's birthday next week. Twenty-six. YIKES!
Have a great weekend everyone!
I also finished photoshopping all the Redmond golf pics and got them on a disc and delivered to Laura. They look VERY similar to last year's pics except, of course, we're all a year older.
Laura just got back from Palm Desert where she closed on the sale of her old condo on Tuesday followed by closing on the new and bigger condo on Wednesday. She's now got a contractor beavering away on some improvements. And she bought a golf cart! Not bad for five days work including two travel days... She appeared tired but content.
Yesterday I spoke to Leah and she sounded great. She had her first day of work at Clackamas County and it went well - aside from the fact they are horribly disorganized about this H1N1 immunization thing. Just like the rest of the country. Leah's moving into a new apartment in Portland. It sounds really nice. And most amazingly it is owned by Steve and Maria Marks. Steve practiced law in Juneau and Maria (Keithahn) Marks graduated from JDHS the same year I graduated. A small world, ain't it?
It's Leah's and Amanda's birthday next week. Twenty-six. YIKES!
Have a great weekend everyone!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Adieu to Jasper the Wonderdog
Dawn patrol. I was camped outside of Alaska Airlines Cargo at 6:00 AM this morning to hand-over Jasper the Wonderdog to their care for his flight to Seattle and Boise. Jasper has a new home with Joan's dad in Nampa, Idaho - said home coming equipped with a big yard and resident squirrels. Sounds like a doggy retirement resort... Joan is visiting her dad and will collect the hound at the Boise airport this afternoon.
After the hound drill I legged-it over to the folks. Dad was bleeding into his urostomy pouch again yesterday and I fully anticipated a grueling day at the hospital. But...amazingly enough...the bleeding stopped last night and he is resting comfortably. So...here it is not yet 8 AM and I feel like I've already put in a days work.
It's hard slogging on the vacation pics. I've got a ton of golf pictures that consist of folks being given various awards. The lighting was not very good so they require lots of work and the subjects all sport wild sun burns that make them look lobster-like. It's tedious work; but I will persevere.
And after some photo work think I'll go have a workout and a steam. Maybe a nap this afternoon...my four-legged bed partner last night was kinda restless and I didn't sleep too well.
It's clear as a bell again today but supposed to blow Taku downtown - gusts to 70 mph. Not fun...but much easier to tolerate when the temperature is 45 degrees as opposed to zero.
Oh...just heard Jasper's flight depart and it sounds like it was a little bumpy on climb-out. I'm listening to the aircraft radio and the pilot just reported continuous light chop from take-off through niner thousand. Sorry Jasper! Just think of those squirrels waiting for you buddy!
Later gang.
After the hound drill I legged-it over to the folks. Dad was bleeding into his urostomy pouch again yesterday and I fully anticipated a grueling day at the hospital. But...amazingly enough...the bleeding stopped last night and he is resting comfortably. So...here it is not yet 8 AM and I feel like I've already put in a days work.
It's hard slogging on the vacation pics. I've got a ton of golf pictures that consist of folks being given various awards. The lighting was not very good so they require lots of work and the subjects all sport wild sun burns that make them look lobster-like. It's tedious work; but I will persevere.
And after some photo work think I'll go have a workout and a steam. Maybe a nap this afternoon...my four-legged bed partner last night was kinda restless and I didn't sleep too well.
It's clear as a bell again today but supposed to blow Taku downtown - gusts to 70 mph. Not fun...but much easier to tolerate when the temperature is 45 degrees as opposed to zero.
Oh...just heard Jasper's flight depart and it sounds like it was a little bumpy on climb-out. I'm listening to the aircraft radio and the pilot just reported continuous light chop from take-off through niner thousand. Sorry Jasper! Just think of those squirrels waiting for you buddy!
Later gang.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Leif Erickson Day
A very amusing article in today's New York Times titled "Every Dog (and Norseman) Has His Day" - a brief history of Presidential Proclamations for various and sundry persons and events. From the proclamation for National Fire Prevention Week: “As powerful as any force in the natural world, fire deserves our utmost attention.” You betcha!
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/11/us/politics/11proclaim.html?hpw
"Even before there was Leif Erikson Day, there was a Leif Erikson, who rode this boat. Or one like it, anyway."
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/11/us/politics/11proclaim.html?hpw
"Even before there was Leif Erikson Day, there was a Leif Erikson, who rode this boat. Or one like it, anyway."Well, it's been a busy week - and fairly productive, at that. Mom is now scheduled for knee replacement surgery on November 12th - barring any disqualifying condition her primary care doc might discover beforehand. She's ready to rumble. Once one of my elders makes up his or her mind about a matter- that's the ball game - there's no looking back... Let's get on with it!
I'm about half-way done photoshopping vacation pics. Hope to have some stuff posted in the next couple of days. I've been doing a little cooking. Been doing various errands. Hauled and stacked the last cord of wood yesterday morning. Got flu and pneumonia shots. I still need to do the fall clean-up at mom's and auntie's yards - it's supposed to be sunny tomorrow and Tuesday so will check-off those tasks shortly.
Had an excellent supper at Alison's and Doug's place last night - grilled leg o' lamb. Very, very tasty. Cousin Dick and Candy were the guests of honor. We played 'Apples to Apples' a very fun parlor game.
Cheerio.
I'm about half-way done photoshopping vacation pics. Hope to have some stuff posted in the next couple of days. I've been doing a little cooking. Been doing various errands. Hauled and stacked the last cord of wood yesterday morning. Got flu and pneumonia shots. I still need to do the fall clean-up at mom's and auntie's yards - it's supposed to be sunny tomorrow and Tuesday so will check-off those tasks shortly.
Had an excellent supper at Alison's and Doug's place last night - grilled leg o' lamb. Very, very tasty. Cousin Dick and Candy were the guests of honor. We played 'Apples to Apples' a very fun parlor game.
Cheerio.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Way to Go Leah!
Leah is now employed as a Health Educator for Clackamas County, Oregon - organizing H1N1 flu immunization clinics. Excellent! I know how being unemployed/underemployed has weighed on her this past year - Portland is REALLY difficult during this recession. I was talking to Jane last evening and she mentioned a recent notice in the Portland media where a company was hiring a handful of positions and hundreds showed-up to apply.
It seems that this downturn is particularly hard on young adults. No jobs and no health care. I spent an hour or so chatting with a guy Leah's age at the Seattle airport the other day. He was from Denver, just out of college and going through the job hunt ordeal. Denver doesn't sound a lot better than Portland on the employment front for young folks...
Meanwhile...back here in the 'burg I have successfully picked-up from where I left-off with the elders...
It's not as grim as I had feared. I assumed I was in for a battle yesterday on how to proceed with mom's knee replacement while assuring dad was cared-for. Turned-out that we're pretty much on the same page. I accompanied mom to the bone doc's office yesterday and we're now on course for surgery - probably in mid-November. She needs a physical from her primary care doc first - to confirm she's got a good chance of successfully tolerating surgery. Should have that appointment set-up today.
Dad is demonstrably weaker than when I left; but he certainly does not require 24-hour skilled nursing care. That's not to say that his care is easy or fun - but I don't see anything with which I cannot cope - particularly with ongoing support from the home health folks. I THINK I am as capable - at least physically - as crippled 82 year old mom!
So...the bottom line is I will be relocating to the elders while mom is in the hospital and for some period during her convalescence. I HOPE I will still be able to sneak-out for a few hours each day (could be 6 AM workouts). My sister cannot lift dad by herself if he falls and she is unwilling to undertake some of the more odious tasks so I will be on a pretty short leash. I am going to reconnoiter the neighborhood to see if there is someone who would consistently be available on very short notice to assist in case of a fall.
Just finished paying the monthly bills and now I'm going to start downloading vacation pics. It will be awhile before they're all processed and posted on the Kodak site - but I'm looking forward to the task. Later today I'm going to see if I can take mom and auntie to DMV and maybe stop at the doc's office so mom and I can get flu shots. And yesterday I bought the fixn's for chicken stock and zucchini bread...
The weather is supposed to improve today and be relatively nice for a couple of days. There's a couple of days of work to put mom's and auntie's gardens to bed for the season. If I'm ambitious, I may even plant some bulbs. And one last cord of wood should be dropped in the folks' driveway in the next couple of days...
Feeling reasonably chipper - all things considered...
It seems that this downturn is particularly hard on young adults. No jobs and no health care. I spent an hour or so chatting with a guy Leah's age at the Seattle airport the other day. He was from Denver, just out of college and going through the job hunt ordeal. Denver doesn't sound a lot better than Portland on the employment front for young folks...
Meanwhile...back here in the 'burg I have successfully picked-up from where I left-off with the elders...
It's not as grim as I had feared. I assumed I was in for a battle yesterday on how to proceed with mom's knee replacement while assuring dad was cared-for. Turned-out that we're pretty much on the same page. I accompanied mom to the bone doc's office yesterday and we're now on course for surgery - probably in mid-November. She needs a physical from her primary care doc first - to confirm she's got a good chance of successfully tolerating surgery. Should have that appointment set-up today.
Dad is demonstrably weaker than when I left; but he certainly does not require 24-hour skilled nursing care. That's not to say that his care is easy or fun - but I don't see anything with which I cannot cope - particularly with ongoing support from the home health folks. I THINK I am as capable - at least physically - as crippled 82 year old mom!
So...the bottom line is I will be relocating to the elders while mom is in the hospital and for some period during her convalescence. I HOPE I will still be able to sneak-out for a few hours each day (could be 6 AM workouts). My sister cannot lift dad by herself if he falls and she is unwilling to undertake some of the more odious tasks so I will be on a pretty short leash. I am going to reconnoiter the neighborhood to see if there is someone who would consistently be available on very short notice to assist in case of a fall.
Just finished paying the monthly bills and now I'm going to start downloading vacation pics. It will be awhile before they're all processed and posted on the Kodak site - but I'm looking forward to the task. Later today I'm going to see if I can take mom and auntie to DMV and maybe stop at the doc's office so mom and I can get flu shots. And yesterday I bought the fixn's for chicken stock and zucchini bread...
The weather is supposed to improve today and be relatively nice for a couple of days. There's a couple of days of work to put mom's and auntie's gardens to bed for the season. If I'm ambitious, I may even plant some bulbs. And one last cord of wood should be dropped in the folks' driveway in the next couple of days...
Feeling reasonably chipper - all things considered...
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Lock-Down
Got home last evening after a grueling 16-hour day - everything went as planned - but it was a long day.
The sound of my apartment door closing behind me as I entered the joint sounded suspiciously like the clanging of a cell door. I suspect there's no chance of parole for at least six months.
Headed over to the elders shortly. Mom has an appointment with the bone doc this morning to assess her knee and (hopefully) pick a date for surgery.
My sister picked me up at the airport last evening and waited a whole four seconds before launching on how dysfunctional mom and dad are...
Great to be home.
More later...
The sound of my apartment door closing behind me as I entered the joint sounded suspiciously like the clanging of a cell door. I suspect there's no chance of parole for at least six months.
Headed over to the elders shortly. Mom has an appointment with the bone doc this morning to assess her knee and (hopefully) pick a date for surgery.
My sister picked me up at the airport last evening and waited a whole four seconds before launching on how dysfunctional mom and dad are...
Great to be home.
More later...
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Life is Grand.
Another post the same day...strange I know. But this is the proverbial end of the line. Tomorrow is a freeway drive back to Boston. So, for all practical purposes tonight is the end of the vacation. AAAAAARRRRRGGGGHHHH!
I had a great day. The weather was quite nice. It was a bit of a kurfluffle however...a KAL 007 moment as it were...
Over the past two weeks I have had several people recommend the Town of Woodstock for us leaf peeping types.
Yesterday, I drove near Woodstock, New Hampshire. I ASSUMED this was the Woodstock to which everyone was referring. I got a briefing from the landlords this morning. Woodstock was the place to go. I set off...having set my GPS for the center of the town of Woodstock, New Hampshire. Got there. Didn't look a damn bit like what anyone had described.
Got out the map my "landlord" had given me. Tried to enter some locations in my GPS. No joy. I FINALLY noticed that the addresses of the various places on the map for Woodstock had VT - not NH - as the state. Oh....
Recalculating....
The good news...this is what I missed yesterday.
A couple of hours later I arrived in Woodstock, Vermont. The bad news: It's a tourist trap. The good news: My detour took me back over roads I had traveled yesterday when the weather really sucked - and today I got some good pictures.
Whew! So here I am back at my digs. I've had an early supper. I've got a bottle of good wine and I proceed out to the lawn.
Elmo sits here
This is what Elmo sees
Elmo starts to think about the world -particularly the past month.
Elmo thinks about his elders back home.
Elmo thinks about his daughters and the trials and tribulations of youth. God I love those gals...
Elmo thinks about Tim and Mary Lou Milnes - the fortuitous email from another friend that allowed us to get together. And my Portland pals Arthur, Sher, Jim, Tim, and Jane god bless
'em
And the bloody golf tournament - poor cuz'n Dickie has got the golf bug bad! And my best friends in the whole world Alison and Dougie...
And in the Emerald City of course my dear friend T. (RIP Pogo); and my friend Brent Long who I look forward to seeing at Christmas in Juneau...
And then the wine is gone... Life is grand....
I had a great day. The weather was quite nice. It was a bit of a kurfluffle however...a KAL 007 moment as it were...
Over the past two weeks I have had several people recommend the Town of Woodstock for us leaf peeping types.
Yesterday, I drove near Woodstock, New Hampshire. I ASSUMED this was the Woodstock to which everyone was referring. I got a briefing from the landlords this morning. Woodstock was the place to go. I set off...having set my GPS for the center of the town of Woodstock, New Hampshire. Got there. Didn't look a damn bit like what anyone had described.
Got out the map my "landlord" had given me. Tried to enter some locations in my GPS. No joy. I FINALLY noticed that the addresses of the various places on the map for Woodstock had VT - not NH - as the state. Oh....
Recalculating....
The good news...this is what I missed yesterday.
A couple of hours later I arrived in Woodstock, Vermont. The bad news: It's a tourist trap. The good news: My detour took me back over roads I had traveled yesterday when the weather really sucked - and today I got some good pictures.
Whew! So here I am back at my digs. I've had an early supper. I've got a bottle of good wine and I proceed out to the lawn.
Elmo sits here
This is what Elmo sees
Elmo thinks about his elders back home.
Elmo thinks about his daughters and the trials and tribulations of youth. God I love those gals...
Elmo thinks about Tim and Mary Lou Milnes - the fortuitous email from another friend that allowed us to get together. And my Portland pals Arthur, Sher, Jim, Tim, and Jane god bless
'em
And the bloody golf tournament - poor cuz'n Dickie has got the golf bug bad! And my best friends in the whole world Alison and Dougie...
And in the Emerald City of course my dear friend T. (RIP Pogo); and my friend Brent Long who I look forward to seeing at Christmas in Juneau...
And then the wine is gone... Life is grand....
Rain with Embedded Downpours
Greetings from Lyme, New Hampshire...about 15 miles north of Hanover and the campus of Dartmouth College. I arrived in Hanover last evening just as the Hanover/Yale football game ended and got caught-up in a traffic jam that seemed to consist mostly of expensive European luxury sedans driven by old white guys. Poor drivers and highly litigious. I prudently pulled over for a late lunch/early supper.
I listened to a bit of the game on the radio - Dartmouth lost. This was NOT a nationally televised game. In fact, I got the impression that the radio guy (I think this was a college-run gig) had never actually seen football played before...which made the broadcast amusing. Ivy league folks...
The drive down from Bretton Woods yesterday was a bit of a disappointment. I'm sure the scenery was beautiful - but I cannot vouch for it insofar as much was hidden by rain, clouds, and fog. The forecast called for "rain with embedded downpours" and the weatherman hit the nail on the head. Even so, the Kacamangus Highway was pretty cool. Lots of colour - although I expect it is still a week or ten days short of peak.
A lull in the downpour on the Kacamangus Highway
A covered bridge
Well, today I'm going to mosey over to Woodstock, New Hamshire - a village that I have been assured by several people positively reeks of New England charm. The weather is much improved today so I hope to take pics to beat the band.
Hasta luego.
I listened to a bit of the game on the radio - Dartmouth lost. This was NOT a nationally televised game. In fact, I got the impression that the radio guy (I think this was a college-run gig) had never actually seen football played before...which made the broadcast amusing. Ivy league folks...
The drive down from Bretton Woods yesterday was a bit of a disappointment. I'm sure the scenery was beautiful - but I cannot vouch for it insofar as much was hidden by rain, clouds, and fog. The forecast called for "rain with embedded downpours" and the weatherman hit the nail on the head. Even so, the Kacamangus Highway was pretty cool. Lots of colour - although I expect it is still a week or ten days short of peak.
A lull in the downpour on the Kacamangus Highway
A covered bridge
Well, today I'm going to mosey over to Woodstock, New Hamshire - a village that I have been assured by several people positively reeks of New England charm. The weather is much improved today so I hope to take pics to beat the band.
Hasta luego.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Mount Washington
Ah...finally a little sun. It was overcast this morning; but the weather has steadily improved all day. It's now partly cloudy and quite spectacular.
The entryway to the Mount Washington Resort
The Mount Washington Resort
Mount Washington from the resort
Today I took the Cog Railroad to the top of Mount Washington. The summit is about 6800 feet. It was overcast when we started out...climbed into the clouds...and then out of the clouds. The temperature was 27 degrees at the summit which claims to have the worst weather on the planet. Average wind speed - 30 knots. But fortunately today it was pretty much calm.
A diesel locomotive nearing the summit
Headed downhill - a 35% grade!
Last night I had a great supper here at the resort. The public rooms are absolutely wonderful - jackets required in the formal dining room. I have a reservation tonight and will have my pre-supper glass of medicinal pinot noir in the conservatory gazing at Mount Washington as the sun sets. Not a bad day!
A couple of pics from East Middlebury and the Waybury Inn - it was very comfortable. I can't get enough of these rural hang-outs...
The Waybury Inn
Well, tomorrow it's off to Lyme, New Hampshire. Just a few miles from Hanover. I will travel along the Kancamagus Highway which is supposed to be the crown jewel of fall foliage. Unfortunately, the weather may not be too hotsy-totsy.
Later kids!
The entryway to the Mount Washington Resort
The Mount Washington Resort
Mount Washington from the resort
Today I took the Cog Railroad to the top of Mount Washington. The summit is about 6800 feet. It was overcast when we started out...climbed into the clouds...and then out of the clouds. The temperature was 27 degrees at the summit which claims to have the worst weather on the planet. Average wind speed - 30 knots. But fortunately today it was pretty much calm.
Steam choo choo chugs up Mount Washington
A diesel locomotive nearing the summit
Steam choo choo at the summit
Headed downhill - a 35% grade!
Last night I had a great supper here at the resort. The public rooms are absolutely wonderful - jackets required in the formal dining room. I have a reservation tonight and will have my pre-supper glass of medicinal pinot noir in the conservatory gazing at Mount Washington as the sun sets. Not a bad day!
A couple of pics from East Middlebury and the Waybury Inn - it was very comfortable. I can't get enough of these rural hang-outs...
The Waybury Inn in East Middlebury - supposed setting for the Bob Nehart Show
The Waybury Inn
Well, tomorrow it's off to Lyme, New Hampshire. Just a few miles from Hanover. I will travel along the Kancamagus Highway which is supposed to be the crown jewel of fall foliage. Unfortunately, the weather may not be too hotsy-totsy.
Later kids!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Killing Time
Just got to the Mount Washington Resort and have an hour or so to kill before my room is ready. Another mostly overcast day - with rain AND SNOW showers in the vicinity. It's about 37 degrees. I'm pleased I did NOT choose to lug my golf clubs back here...
I left East Middlebury around 9 AM and chugged east through the Green Mountains. At the summit it was snowing like hell although not (yet) sticking on the road. OOFTA! The route to Bretton Woods was a serious zig-zag. East on narrow winding roads, south on narrow winding roads, then south 20 miles on I-89, north 60 miles on I-91, south 25 miles on I-93 and finally zig-zagging up another winding road to the resort. Sure pretty though. There's some serious color out there - red, orange, yellow and green.
I have been stalking a bunch of bicyclists on a Vermont Biking Tours expedition. They were at the North Hero Inn on Monday night and at the Waybury Inn last night. A couple of them are looking a mite worse for wear. Serious headwinds and off-and-on rain for two days and this morning there was plenty of frost on the pumpkins.
Still, it looks like it would be big time fun in decent weather. You cycle for 30 miles or so each day and stay at really nice places with great food and drink. A van hauls your baggage from one destination to another. The terrain is relatively flat on their carefully mapped-out route. I had a nice visit with several of the folks including a couple of guys from Seattle. Ages ranged from 30 something to 70 something... They all claimed to be enjoying themselves the weather notwithstanding...
I spoke with Amanda night before last and she is still doing the camp counselor gig in Southern California. Some angst over what to do next; but clearly it's been a wonderful experience thus far. It was great to hear her voice. Sadly, she informed me of the death of an old family friend, Floyd Gammill, who had been battling Alzheimer's or a related dementia for a decade or more. Floyd was an absolutely delightful and charming man and his wife, Linda, a great gal. So sad...
Leah is holding her breath waiting for word on a job with Clackamas County as a health educator - doing H1N1 flu immunization work. She sounds optimistic - go get 'em Leah!
The news from the elders is fairly grim. Dad is getting weaker by the day and mom is at the end of her rope. She now concedes that she MUST have knee replacement surgery ASAP - which is a guarantee that her pain is damn near unbearable. I can hear it in her voice. Next week we will make a plan...
I have been reading the news online every day but have otherwise been disengaged from the world's trials and tribulations. There are no TVs in most inns - which I think is a good thing. Bet my blood pressure is lower than it's been in many a moon.
I did notice, however, that my former Governor has gone "rogue." Four hundred plus pages of nonsense due out next month - in time for the holiday season. Hah!
Well, tomorrow I'm going to take a little tourist choo choo up Mount Washington. Beyond that...no plans whatsoever...gonna be pretty chilly and wet for hiking - particularly since sneakers are the only walking shoes I brought. Bet there's a good gym around here though...
Finally, no cell phone service here in the wilds of New Hampshire. Emergency service only. So send me an email if you have something to say...
Cheers!
I left East Middlebury around 9 AM and chugged east through the Green Mountains. At the summit it was snowing like hell although not (yet) sticking on the road. OOFTA! The route to Bretton Woods was a serious zig-zag. East on narrow winding roads, south on narrow winding roads, then south 20 miles on I-89, north 60 miles on I-91, south 25 miles on I-93 and finally zig-zagging up another winding road to the resort. Sure pretty though. There's some serious color out there - red, orange, yellow and green.
I have been stalking a bunch of bicyclists on a Vermont Biking Tours expedition. They were at the North Hero Inn on Monday night and at the Waybury Inn last night. A couple of them are looking a mite worse for wear. Serious headwinds and off-and-on rain for two days and this morning there was plenty of frost on the pumpkins.
Still, it looks like it would be big time fun in decent weather. You cycle for 30 miles or so each day and stay at really nice places with great food and drink. A van hauls your baggage from one destination to another. The terrain is relatively flat on their carefully mapped-out route. I had a nice visit with several of the folks including a couple of guys from Seattle. Ages ranged from 30 something to 70 something... They all claimed to be enjoying themselves the weather notwithstanding...
I spoke with Amanda night before last and she is still doing the camp counselor gig in Southern California. Some angst over what to do next; but clearly it's been a wonderful experience thus far. It was great to hear her voice. Sadly, she informed me of the death of an old family friend, Floyd Gammill, who had been battling Alzheimer's or a related dementia for a decade or more. Floyd was an absolutely delightful and charming man and his wife, Linda, a great gal. So sad...
Leah is holding her breath waiting for word on a job with Clackamas County as a health educator - doing H1N1 flu immunization work. She sounds optimistic - go get 'em Leah!
The news from the elders is fairly grim. Dad is getting weaker by the day and mom is at the end of her rope. She now concedes that she MUST have knee replacement surgery ASAP - which is a guarantee that her pain is damn near unbearable. I can hear it in her voice. Next week we will make a plan...
I have been reading the news online every day but have otherwise been disengaged from the world's trials and tribulations. There are no TVs in most inns - which I think is a good thing. Bet my blood pressure is lower than it's been in many a moon.
I did notice, however, that my former Governor has gone "rogue." Four hundred plus pages of nonsense due out next month - in time for the holiday season. Hah!
Well, tomorrow I'm going to take a little tourist choo choo up Mount Washington. Beyond that...no plans whatsoever...gonna be pretty chilly and wet for hiking - particularly since sneakers are the only walking shoes I brought. Bet there's a good gym around here though...
Finally, no cell phone service here in the wilds of New Hampshire. Emergency service only. So send me an email if you have something to say...
Cheers!
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