TURNING 90, etc.

I see typing corrections that I've made, but not paragraphs that have divided my thoughts. Perhaps when I "publish" this the paragraphs will appear, but they don't show up when I "preview". Sorry. I haven't posted in a long time, I know. My life has not been that exciting. Well, considering I turned 90 on December 21, I guess it is. I'm in good health ... for a woman my age and enjoying my independent life. Since 90 appeared I've had a couple of reminders. People that heard about my birthday commented something like "You're 90? You sure don't look it." And I guess I equated that with "I can do more than I'm actually capable of doing". So a week after my birthday I had a constant pain across my chest and knew that women had different warnings than men with heart attacks. Colleen brought me to Emergency and heart was fine. To make a very long story short, I had my gall bladder removed. What an ego trip THAT hospital time was! I'm sure that you are aware that all staff asks your name and birthdate. Every staff member whether they were highly educated doctors or those delivering meals made some comment about the fact I didn't look or act like a 90 year old! Very flattering, but I was being treated in the hospital! Now that I'm out and have adjusted to the removal of my gall bladder I (yes, with doctor approval) went to go to Silver Sneakers again yesterday. I was doing very well ... until it came to the balancing part. I was balancing, had even taken my hand/finger off the chair ... when I toppled back, scaring me and everone else, but was very lucky to be fine. Yes, a goose egg appeared, but a real awakening. Even though people tell me I don't look 90, I am and have to be aware of my limitations. I guess that's my New Year's Resolution. Be aware of my age and enjoy every bit of what I am so fortunate to actually do. And that brings me to the worries I have. If you have read my blog from the very first entry, you know how we came to be in America. One thing I haven't mentioned in my earlier blogs is the nightmares I had for quite a few years after we came to America. They became less frequent after I turned 8 or so. At that time I was a pretty sheltered child and not aware of the politics, but sure have learned in the mean time. Now I'm 90 and seem to be living the beginning of my life all over again. (No nightmares probably because I'm 90 and at the end of the day I'm tired enough that I sleep!) It is the first time I have tried to change peoples minds about voting for a politician. Not because of the party, but because of Trump. He brought back bad memories. If a Republican candidate got into office before, I supported them. Not this time. I'm appalled by the choices he's made of unqualified staff and his partisan views and that the Republicans are supporting those views. Being a Democrat or Republican is not wrong. It was just different. Much of what is ruled by the government is and should be bipartisan. Trump is a felon, yes convicted, but not sentenced and people voted for him anyway. I'm hoping, praying, wishing that there will be a strong uprising from all of us in large or small ways to do good for the country. I want to belong to the World Health Organization. This is not just a nation, but a world economy. We need each other. Immigration reforms? Sure! But not inhumane mass evictions without proper investigation. Release of January 6 convicted felons? No! Fire staff because they may not have voted for Trump, but are doing their job in a nonpartisan way? No! We need all the help we can get. Might there be a few that don't do the job as expected? Sure and then either train them better or fire them with "just cause"; not because you might not agree with their politics. I guess it's not just a disagreement about politics, but that they don't like/approve of Trump. And what is Elon Musk doing? He was not on any ballot that I'm aware of and has not been vetted for anything. Why is he given information that is NOT under his authority because he has no legal authority. I could go on, but, please, let's go back to a more bipartisan way of governing for the good of ALL the people of these United States and our connected world.

Chuck's Last Days

Chuck had not been feeling up to par, but was not sickly. He had complaints of back pain, being tired, shortness of breath ... all being properly looked at by doctors as the symptoms presented. In September 2014 he had some rectal bleeding and all kinds of extensive scopes, but the bleeding stopped 0n it's own ... after 6 units of blood ... and they could not find the source. Diverticulitis was the suggested diagnosis & he was sent home with diet restrictions, which he followed. Jan. 18 he was back in the hospital with another bleed, they scoped & after 2 days found the source, but when they tried to clamp it they saw something was not normal, did a superficial clamping, then a CT scan or MRI or both and saw there was metastasized cancer and it was beyond help.

The doctor told us to get our affairs in order and luckily we had done all that over the years and knew what we wanted. Colleen was with Chuck the night she arrived quite late and he told her his wishes. He wanted Bill Pegg (former minister and friend) to do the service, no Amazing Grace sung and his ashes scattered from a hot air balloon and where he suggested memorials to go.

Chuck knew it was serious and that he was loved. The whole family was with us and his friends came for short visits and to say goodbye. He asked me if I would be OK & when I told him I would be, not like it, but OK, he accepted his fate. He was in good spirits until the end and made us all laugh with him often those last days. When hospice was mentioned he asked where ... home or perhaps across the street from the hospital is a wonderful facility, he was told. He said St. Anne's ... "Just wrap me in some of Claire's quilts (winter was beginning in full force ... hasn't stopped yet either), put me in a wheel chair & wheel me across the street. No sense in paying for an ambulance for THAT short distance." We all laughed right along with Chuck. He could not wake up on the 24th, was taken to Leo's Center For Caring ... in an ambulance ... and died peacefully on the 26th. It was a blessing ... not easy on us, but it is made so much easier because of Chuck's sense of relief that his not feeling up to par had a reason and was not just in his head. He was in no pain.

The calling hours and service were full and even though there was sorrow they were not sad occasions. I'm going to include my son-in-laws loving eulogy, which captured Chuck completely.

In Memory of my Father-in-law
Charles Samuel “Chuckie” Welch
Thank you all for coming to celebrate the life of Charles Samuel Welch. My name is Richard Davisson and I am have been married to Colleen for more than 30 years which means we only have about a quarter century to go to match Chuck and Claire marriage.

I was asked to share a few words but I need to establish a few ground rules first:

I will be reading from my notes to keep from blubbering which is a trait I share with my father-in-law.

I will keep this mostly irreverent because Chuckie loved to laugh and it also helps to keep me from blubbering. So in keeping with this I need to tell you all this right now: I not wearing my good suit because our cats peed on it. Chuckie would love knowing that.

Finally I will keep this brief and will be leaving lots out because that’s all Chuck would tolerate. If I dare ramble on too long we all know what Chuckie would say: “That’s the stupidest damn eulogy I’ve ever heard!”

So with that in mind, I would like to take us back to 1982:

Mr. Welch I said– “Call me Chuck”, ah, yes sir – “call me Chuck”, ah ookay… “ I love your wife… I mean your daughter and I would like to ask for her hand in marriage.” Through his wire frame glasses and without pausing to consider my question he immediately answered, “Why are you asking me?” I don’t honestly remember anything more of the conversation but years later I came to realize that what he meant was “Son, I love my daughter and I trust her judgment. So you need to be talking to her. For my part, if you promise to love and respect her, care for her, protect her and provide for her then you have my blessing”.

Years later: My business was tanking and I was gasping for air, looking for wisdom. After listening to me drone on for much too long he finally looked at me and said “You’ll figure it out. What channel is the golf tournament on?” A few years later as I had figured it out and got the business back on track I realized what he meant: “You’ll figure it out. What channel is the LPGA tournament on?”

That was Chuckie. He was a man of many words when talk was cheap, few when they were important.

Chuck loved this church:
The golden years for him being when Bill Pegg led this congregation. Bill Lanigan told me a story last night about a time they were ushering when two elderly ladies broke into a heated argument over who had the right to sit in a certain pew. Chuck interceded and the result: They both turned on him and stormed out of the church! Chuck stood there, mouth agape until Bill came over and told him to find Claire and get a hug.

Chuck loved his country:
When he was moved to hospice Monday the staff at St. Anne’s saw that he had been a war veteran. They presented him with a beautiful poem thanking him for his service and an American flag blanket. A few hours before he passed he rallied, woke from his sleep and the nurse had a chance to share this with him. Satisfied, he fell back to sleep knowing that we all appreciate his duty to country and his sacrifice for our freedom.

Chuck was a man of mystery:
Who knew that he would love both grocery stores and hot air balloons? How do they even go together?

There was a dark side to Chuck – he had enemies to be sure. And of course I’m talking about his arch rival: the sycamore tree in his yard. That battle raged on long before I knew him. “Twigs and roots. Those are dirtiest damn trees!”. That was the battle cry that I would hear every spring. I think he secretly loved winter because it covered the roots that were popping up in his lawn.

Church loved his friends:
He also loved winter because he got to run the snow blower. I’m sure his first love was Claire and the kids, his second was golf and his third was running his snow blower up and down Belmeade. There is something special about the care and camaraderie up and down Belmeade and I suspect that Chuckie (and Claire) had a whole lot to do with this that. I’m sure Chuck would wish that this tradition continues…

Chuckie had a unique twist with the pronunciation of some words in tradition of Norm Crosby for those of us old enough to know the reference. These were known as “Chuckisms” and it was great sport to try to inspire him. Paul was telling me about the time he was explaining that one of the kids had been diagnosed as ADD. “Paul, the doctors say he’s got DNA!”

Chuck loved sports:
Chuck loved sports and was loyal to his teams. But I think he chose his teams based on their ability to beat Syracuse and Notre Dame. And that was the real sport in his life: Finding someone who he thought should love SU or ND and rubbing their nose in a loss. It didn’t really matter to Chuck if they actually cared about those teams – he just loved a good argument.

Chuck loved to travel:
When Chuck and Claire retired we were all concerned that they would have nothing to do. Wow were we off base!

In addition to being a volunteer driver for the Red Cross, he helped out with many church functions here, was the assistant play by play for the high school, he and Jeff were ardent lacrosse fans, they made regular pilgrimages to Detroit and Connecticut and Florida and Arizona and traveled extensively. We always had to schedule our family visits well ahead of time to be able to squeeze in between Elderhostels, now called Road Scholar.

I feel I’ve visited most of the globe vicariously through his verbal and pictorial travelogue – the pictures of exotic locations and the detailed descriptions of perfect strangers that they met and befriended. Everyone had a story – EVERYONE… But if we were less than interested in the details, his enthusiasm was infectious none-the-less. He really loved people and went out of his way to get to know them.

There were no strangers in Chuck’s world just friends he had yet to meet.

Chuck touched so many lives in so many ways. You may have noticed one of the bouquets were from his favorite bagel shop near their house. Every day for the last forty years he would get up, go to the bagel store and order one bagel. I’m not sure he liked bagel all that much but I’m sure he loved to kibitz with the folks there.

When we were cleaning up last night after the visitation we noticed a small brown bag on the counter by the flowers. In it – one plain bagel…

Chuck loved his family:
He called me “Dickie”. Nobody calls me “Dickie”! I called him Chuckie or Grandpa but I really knew him as “Dad” because he certainly was to me.

He was so proud of his grandkids. He hated hockey but loved to come to see my kids play. I don’t think he ever forgave me for me hating golf but I was redeemed to some degree when I gave him a grandson that played.

Colleen and I gave him blondes, Paul and Lisa gave him brunettes. Cindy and Charlie gave him dogs. And he loved them all equally.

He was Facebook before there was such a thing. We would hear about Charlie’s workshop, Cindy’s latest quilts, and Paul’s love of St. John. He would go into great detail about Lisa’s latest job. Of course he had absolutely no idea what it was she was actually doing but “you know Lisa, it has to be important”.

Chuck was virtuous:
Patience is a virtue we are told. But of all the virtues that Chuck possessed this wasn’t on the bottom of the list, it never made the list. For those of us who knew him, loved him, were touched by him, to heck with patience.

Chuckie made haste a virtue.

He lived in the now. And that kept us all hopping. We were all shocked to find out that Chuckie passed so quickly but when you stop and think of it,

Isn’t that EXACTLY Charles Samuel Welch!

Good intentions

Last night, before I went to bed, I vowed I'd go right to the sewing room and finish the comfort quilt after breakfast. I figured it was a good substitute since quilt club was canceled due to the snow, blizzard and our speakers' inability to fly in.

And this blog may seem familiar as I wrote about distraction on Nov. 4, 2011. I found it in my ramblings today.

So, this morning I decided to check my email first and received one from Ulla who is working on publishing Opa's memoirs and history about us Weinberg's. She had several questions about my uncle and so what did I do? I tried to looked them up, which took quite some time, and then wrote an answer. While looking them up I got carried away and was reading my Germany blog entries. It has distracted me all morning; not that it was unpleasant. Actually it was fun. But this is why I don't accomplish my goals in a timely fashion. Now it's 3 PM and I'm going to work on it now. With luck, I'll get the hang of this machine quilting thing. I do straight lines very well, but I sure need practice on curvy stuff. I'm practicing on a comfort (gift to charity) quilt.

Quilting & UFO's

I was in my sewing room and saw ... not a relaxing place to work, but a mess! So I decided to finish a few things and put others away. As I'm doing this I noticed how dark the basement room is so this spring (if spring ever gets here) I plan on painting the room, one wall at a time. So the UFO's must get done! (UFO's = UnFinished Objects) But what happens? I hear about a class or someone has an occasion and I feel compelled to construct something ... or is it what I'd rather do than what needs to be done?

I did get 3 things done. Can't show one of them because it hasn't been gifted, yet. The other 2 are because Janet Root offered a Mystery Wall Hanging workshop that sounded appealing. Janet told us what values and size fabrics to bring from light to dark. I brought 3 separate piles. It's SO difficult to choose when you haven't seen a sample, but I love the challenge. This is my finished class piece.

Chuck & I liked the outcome, but when we were in Tucson last winter I found some quilt shops and felt obligated to support them. I found some AZ fabrics, but didn't take to Janet's class exactly the correct fabrics with me in that pile to showcase it. So I made another one, almost the same, using those fabrics and ignoring all the other UFO's waiting to be done. Here is the result.

And these were requested gifts. Colleen's is made of Downton Abbey fabrics (they have a cat named Downton Tabby). Maggie requested some ruffles. And the one I made for Liz were to her specifications, too.

I also have a comfort quilt almost complete. The quilt for our bed is going very slowly. It took me a long time to figure out why. When I started it, 3 - 4 years ago (Chuck says he'll be dead before it gets done), I decided to hand quilt it as it has wonderful open spaces for that and I LOVE hand quilting. Make that "loved". I have arthritis in my fingers that are now making hand quilting uncomfortable. So this WILL be done in 2014. I will finish hand quilting this section and then switch to machine quilting the border. The poor quilt on our bed is getting thread bare and needs a permanent rest.

I think it will be worth the wait

Now that I know the problem, I'll take a mild pain reliever before I hand quilt. I've also figured out that the quilting is not as visible with busy printed fabrics so machine quilting works fine. The comfort quilt is where I'll practice some "fancy" machine quilting. Then when I do another quilted project that calls for decorative quilting, I won't be quite so intimidated. I keep hearing ... practice, practice, practice. But first, making the sewing space a pleasant place to work.

2014 Begins

This time it was our turn to host New Year's Eve. We have been getting together for over 40 years with our friends. Some have moved away and some are no longer with us, but we are still together. When our children come home we reminisce about all the good times together, but New Year's eve was just the adults.

We decided to get together in our homes because we lived close to each other and had small children and didn't want to travel far, but did want to celebrate together. It was before cell phones … come to think of it, we all have cell phones now, but most of us forget to turn them on and we do not have smart phones. The parties were easy and fun because we shared the food preparation. The hosts had to come up with some entertainment. Easy!

Now I'm 79 and I dreaded the upcoming party. Why? The entertainment! We love getting together, but we can't just sit around and look at each other until midnight. Finally I just took the bull by the horns. I got together a couple of activities (count all the nativity sets and snowmen I have) and another that I'll explain later. First we snacked on appetizers and talked, then the activities … oh, dear, it was only 10:15 … almost 2 hours yet to go, but as I'm pondering what to do next I noticed that everyone is engaged in conversation and enjoying each other. So I relaxed. Someone suggested we have our dessert before midnight. Perfect.

Because I was agonizing about the upcoming party, I realized how lazy or unmotivated I've become. And I've heard some of the others doing a little of the same kind of grumbling. It's seemed like such an effort. We do love getting together. I've known since Jan. 1, 2013 that it was my turn.

Then about the first week in Dec. I had a change in attitude and wondered why? I had (still have?) bursitis in my hip and for over a year have been hurting. Medicine and cortisone did not help so I've gone for extensive physical therapy. And it worked! I am pain free (hope it lasts), have energy and am happier. Pain takes a lot out of you I've come to realize.

I also realized I don't have any fulfilling goals. Yes I have a bucket list, but that's not the same, but it may be enough at this stage of my life. So I asked everyone to list some goals … and that got the discussion started. It wasn't easy because we have new challenges to deal with, but I think it helped. It did for me.

And that's what friends are for, to support each other. I forgot to take pictures of us, but here is a fairly recent one.

It isn't all of us, and Cheri (Frenz) & Jim Klyczek were our hosts (the 2 younger looking ones) at Niagara Community College Culinary Institute. Here are 2 other pictures taken the same day:

So what is my goal? I really hate to exercise, but must do it in order to stay healthy. Maplewood "Y" has a wonderful instructor for seniors and I'm going to try to go regularly. Anja is very attuned to our individual needs and helps us when we need it. I'll work on other goals. Good luck with yours.

Venting!

Not feeling up to par ... nothing serious or life threatening, but I've lost my voice and have a little sore throat. Chuck should be happy, but he finds this amusing.

I'll give you 1 example. This morning I had peanut butter on my toast. The toast was warm and a little peanut butter dripped on my shirt. Since I'm not feeling well and we don't expect any visitors today I did a poor job of cleaning my shirt. I'll "Shout" it tonight. When Chuck noticed it he pointed to it with a questioning look. I didn't respond so he did it again, only getting that pointer finger closer. Again, no response from me. When he did it again I gently shoved his hand away and gave him a dirty look. That's when he SPOKE, "What happened to your shirt?" Then I told him, although all my words were not clear.

Why is it when I have voice problems people don't talk? Their voice is fine!

OK. I feel better now. Thanks for listening.

Donkey Tails

About 30 or so years ago someone gave me or I purchased at a church bazaar, a cactus called "Donkey Tail" and it has grown. Little pieces fell off and I've started new plants to give away or have them languish in different parts of the house. It never flowered. About 20 years ago I was walking by a store front office that had one in the window with it's long tails draped on the bay window sill. It had flowers on the tails! I'm sure on occasion it was blown on to clear away some of the dust away.

This last year the poor thing thrived on neglect. It grew and I let it. I think I didn't water it for 2 months. Last week I looked at it ... to cut the long strands ... and it had flowers on it! Needless to say, I did not cut it, but did blow the dust bunnies away. When the flowers are gone I will cut it, but for now I'll enjoy the small red flowers. I think the cactus was so dry it probably thought it should reproduce! Of course, I left the plant to grow and there were lots of dust bunnies around it, because I usually have a table in front of it, but we had company and I pulled the table out, so I HAD to get rid of the dust ... and I gave it a drink!

Yes, it was worth the wait. It reminded me of our last 2 weeks in AZ when the cactus bloomed. It was glorious!

The "Torch Cactus" was so stunning to me that we bought one for my brother from B & B Cactus where I also learned more about planting in AZ. I would have planted it and given it a good dose of water. Not in the desert. Plant it and leave it to acclimate for a month, then water it once a month up to a year. That wouldn't work here. Always something new to learn. Just a reminder, BERND, it should be watered ... I forgot to send you a reminder May 1. Sorry

These ocotilla are usually brown sticks, but with the rain, followed by the days of warm weather, they flowered.

Lost is Found!

We got home from Tucson and have had a time unpacking. When the suitcases were empty, the things we had shipped arrived. Why did we have so much stuff to send home? When Pat, my sister-in-law died, my brother asked me if I'd like her shoes. They fit! So I accepted his offer. Love the shoes and think fondly of her each time I put a pair on. Chuck calls me Imelda Marcos, but I'm not that bad.

Anyway, back to the LOST. When Bob Myer called me in July, one question he asked me was who did my mother pay to get Dad out of the concentration camp? I had no idea. Bob said he remembers his mother having trouble scraping together the money. That would not have been a problem for us. It was another unanswered puzzle piece for us to ponder.

On March 30, Bob came to Tucson for our last visit until we meet again. Bernd dug out all the books and documentation he had for Bob to browse. And Bob browsed.

In Jan. 2010 I met Renate Neuman and since then I have read the published and translated book which was the journal that Renate's mother kept. Bernd also had this book and it was one that Bob was browsing through. There on page 25 Bob glanced and saw a reference to "the German Escape Tax". Renate's family did not pay it so could not leave legally. We (Meyers and Weinbergs) must have paid it as we left legally. So Bob's question was answered. His mother paid the German Escape Tax.

This is another piece of our history puzzle that we are finding out about. It has reminded me to keep a record of all I find, since I can't ask my now deceased family.

I know I have spelled "Meyer" and "Myer" and they are both correct. In Germany it was "Meyer".

And another question Bob asked was how we are related. I have a genealogy program, Reunion, and saw that our grandmothers were sisters. Now I'm almost finished adding information about our family. Corrections and photos have been added. Just a few missing pieces and I can share it with the family, not sure if they are all interested, but if they save it, it will be there. They don't all have to start when they are in their 60's and 70's like I did. It is fun ... and time consuming.

Until we meet again ... sounds like a song to me.

Adding a picture ...

In 1948 our family had a reunion and Uncle Fred, Bob's father ... see the previous blog ... was a photographer and took this timed photo. I found this picture about 10 years ago when I was sorting through ALL the pictures I'd inherited from both sides of our family ... Weinberg and Welch ... a task that lasted a few of years. I made a heritage album for us and each of my children.

Then I showed the album to Pat and Bernd. At that time I mentioned that it was too bad that the sun streak was there. Pat was an expert at fixing photos and said she'd love to try to fix it so we scanned the photo.



... and then she worked for hours with these results:



Looks a lot better. Pat couldn't "fix" Uncle Fred so she cropped his face from another picture and pasted it in this picture.

So, who are these people? Top row is Tom Staple (my cousin), John Weinberg (Dad), Fred Myer, Max Weinberg, Hans Staple, BOB MYER.
Middle row is: Claire Weinberg (me), Rena Staple (Tom's twin), Frieda Weinberg (Mom), Gretel Staple, Edith Myer, Margot Myer.
Seated on the ground is: Bertha Meyer and Bernd Weinberg (my brother).

Hans Staple is my Dad's half brother. Fred Myer (changed the spelling of his last name by dropping the first "e") and Bertha Meyer are first cousins of Dad and Uncle Hans. Max Weinberg is the father of both John and Hans and my grandfather who lived with us when we came to the USA.

The Weinberg's moved from Chicago in 1950 and that was the last time I saw Bob ... until yesterday. So what did I do today? Hunted for Pat's pictures and worked to get the pictures on my laptop. I have them on my computer at home.

And we went to 2 quilt shops today, so it's been a wonderful day. The boys are watching AZ in the beginning of March madness. Now I'm going to see how warm the pool is as the temperature will be in the 90's for a couple of days. If it's 90's in March, what will the summer bring? Whew!!

63 Years Later ...

In 1950 our family moved from Chicago, IL to Walton, NY. That was the last time I saw my second cousin, Hans Myer. This past summer Hans, now Bob, called me and could have knocked me over with a feather, if I wasn't already down weeding the garden. It was 63 years since I last saw Bob! I remembered Bob as being tall, dark and handsome when I first met him and his sister, Margot, in 1947. That was the year his family reunited with their father after WW11.

Bob called because he was doing some research of his family and wondered if I might have some answers. I didn't, but we did tell a few stories and have kept in touch. He told me he lived in Tucson, where my brother lives, which he didn't know. When I asked where specifically in Tucson he then told me Green Vally, which is about 45 minutes south of Bernd's.

Finally, today, we met. And we are getting together again on Saturday at the quilt show +! It was wonderful catching up on some of our past lives. I'm still processing all we chatted about.



That's Bob, me and Bernd. We look good, don't we?

February Ends

I made the mistake of taking this photo. Bernd woke up just before I snapped it.

So Chuck got these. As you can see Bernd is watching basketball and I am reading an exciting book.

Our week was spent walking sometimes outside and on cooler days in a mall. Chuck's exciting time at the grocery store happened as we were checking out and the woman in the next checkout picked up her bag with spaghetti sauce in it as the bag broke and splattered all over the back of his pants. Had to wipe him down before he sat in the SSR. Took me 3 washes and lots of Shout stain remover before I could dry them.

On Sun. we went to the Indian Art Fair where there were absolutely lovely art pieces of all kinds.
Dancing ...
rugs ...
Loved the hatband!
and the best art were Bernd's art shoes! After walking at the fair in the cold and wind (my feet actually got cold) we ate at: and enjoyed a delicious meal. That's when we went home and watched basketball and read.

Tucson Zoo

Tucson zoo is smaller than Seneca Park Zoo, but very nice. Nice afternoon.
I loved the pink in this Roseate Spoonbill.


Never noticed the bushy tail of the anteater.


The rhino had plenty of space.


At first I thought the elephants had a very small area ... especially for 5 elephants, but then I saw the HUGE area spread around. Aren't the little ones cute?


.... and when we looked out at sunset from Bernd's kitchen window, this was our view. Perfect day ... high today - 70.

Lots to see

Wow! The gem show was awesome! So many vendors with beads, fossils, jewels, furniture. It's an overwhelming museum experience with some less expensive stuff also. On the 8th we went to 1 venue and were there from 10 until 4. The 9th we went in the morning again and came home earlier. Then the 10th we went to a 3rd venue and came home about 1 as I had a concert and the boys had a basketball game.

I'm amazed at all the heavy items that are shipped here for the show and then if it is not sold it has to be shipped back. Smaller dealers had trailers, but they came from all over the world. The things I really liked were either WAY too expensive or huge pieces that would be displayed in an office building. This was taller than me!

This piece is stone inlaid on the right and a quilted duplicate on the left. It was priced out of my reach. Exquisite!

Monday we rested. First because we walked more than we had in a long time and because it was cold (down to 34 ... that's cold for AZ) and it rained for 4+ hours, which is unheard of here. The next morning there was snow on all the mountains surrounding Tucson and some schools were closed at the higher elevations because of the icy roads.

Quilt club on Wed. with guest speaker Larkin Van Horn who does quilting with beading.

We walked Bernd's neighborhood and saw a huge variety of cactus. Some yards are carefully manicured and others are left a little more natural. Both are attractive. Besides walking we went to a couple of art galleries. and Fri. we went to the gem show at the convention center. I did buy a few trinkets, but it was hard finding pieces I liked and could afford.

Today we went to a farm market and then took a walk ... not a stroll. Had to get home to watch the basketball game.
Here they are, happily watching.

Warm and comfortable

What great weather we have here so far. I know it's not going to last ... highs in the 50's over the week-end ... perfect for us. First day we unpacked and just relaxed, but did go out and walked a little at Sabino Canyon, which is just as beautiful as ever and now is a national park. Love those Golden Park Passes ... the best bargain from the government.

Today Bernd went to play table tennis, Chuck went with him and I stayed here and sorted through some sewing stuff. They came home for lunch & off went my brother to play pool while Chuck and I explored some shopping areas ... well, really ... we wanted to try out the vehicle Bernd has for us to drive, a purple Chevvy SSR truck. It is VERY comfortable!

Don't we look cool? A man saw us getting in the purple SSR and liked the color. I said that the truck "spoke to him" and the man said, "Loudly!"

Tomorrow I'll go to a science lecture and the boys are going to see U of A play basketball.

I just saw that Joshua Bell will be here Tucson Symphony is doing Verdi's Requiem on Feb. 15 and 17 and Bell is on Feb. 16. We can be VERY busy!

Kilbourn Hall

It's been a while since my last post, but there hasn't been any outstanding events to write about ... until yesterday. Paul and Lisa mentioned a string quartet called BROOKLYN RIDER and have gotten to know them. Then our choir director mentioned them and said they were coming to Rochester. So I went last night.

First, let me say that I now know why I don't go to Kilbourn Hall often. The seats kill my back! That being said, the hall is wonderful in all other aspects. You can see from all angles and the sound is great.

Brooklyn Rider played a variety of pieces, traditional and contemporary. When Judy (Agrelius, my friend that I used to go to concerts with until she moved away) and I would see that a young composer was being performed, we would look at each other and roll our eyes. Usually they weren't as musical as we preferred. I must say, I enjoyed these new pieces, especially the jazzy ones and the 3 small pieces Colin composed. The Alchemist wasn't my favorite. As Colin said, the composer complimented Brooklyn Rider because they were not just playing notes, but playing sounds. It was an interesting piece, but not as musical as I prefer. And then I got to meet Eric, the tall, charming cello player. Very nice evening.

Brooklyn Rider is a very talented group and I hope to hear them again and not just on the 2 CD's I bought last night.

Now off to our next adventure. All the "stuff" I laid out on the bed for our 2 month stay with my brother fits in the suitcase. There is so much for us to do in the sunny, warmer climate. Visit with friends and family, a gem show, book festival, quilt show, lots of walks, concert, science lecture series, basketball and who knows what else!!

Missing Pat

I don't know what happened. Where I'm writing, I have appropriate paragraphs and indentation ... something else I have to learn. Enjoy anyway. What a wonderful few days I had in Tucson with Bernd, excluding the canceled flights and the baggage that was lost at the end, but that was fine. I really felt I needed to be a part of the celebration for Pat. I can’t believe she is not with us and that she functioned so well up to the end. Pat was quite a lady and I’m so glad she was my sister-in-law. She was a wonderful wife for Bernd and at the celebration I kept hearing what a wonderful husband Bernd was to Pat, which I knew, but perhaps I’m a little biased. I also had the good fortune of reading all the notes sent to Pat and Bernd so I got to appreciate how much she was loved, not just by us. She touched a lot of lives. Most people remember her fondly for her cookie baking and giving, which I enjoyed, too ... but not all parts of the cookie baking. Well, the baking was fine, but the dough preparations! That’s another story. Neat? Clean? You betcha! Susan sent a note that said Pat left us too soon because she still didn’t know what portion of the raw cookie dough she had to eat before the baking. Pat loved the raw dough and that horrified me, because there were raw eggs in the dough ... and the unbaked flour is not easy to digest either. (I do have to admit that I, too, like the dough and sometimes eat a very little ... even with the raw egg in it and think of Pat as I’m licking the beaters or spoon.) So, Susan, as a former home economics teacher I’ll tell you that the proper amount of dough to eat is NONE!! But some of my fondest memories is Pat teasing me as she would take a spoonful of dough and lovingly relish each mouthful while making sure I was watching ... and we’d laugh! Our trip to Germany would not have gone as nicely without Pat as she made all the arrangements and was so good at it! We stayed at great B&B’s and at reasonable prices. How she found the hotel in Hamburg, I’ll never know as we drove by it several times before Chuck saw the doorway. Pat was the best organizer and researcher. We had fun. Our trip was just before the last presidential election and the first question she asked us is, “Who would you like as president?” We gave the right answer because Pat told us that we would get along just fine!

This is one of the few pictures I have of Pat. Pat was an avid photographer, but rarely in the pictures. That’s another thing I liked about our trip together because I rarely have pictures of Chuck so we exchanged our photos and each have a nice variety with each photographer in it. This picture was taken at the farmer’s market in Göttingen, Germany.

This was taken in Bremen, Germany where we each grabbed the Bremen Town Musicians legs for luck. It was a wonderful trip. (... and if you want a detailed blow by blow of that adventure, start from my first blog entry.) Steve Gottlieb used Pat’s camera at the celebration and took lots of pictures, which Bernd asked me to download onto their computer. They are great!! That’s when I noticed how many pictures she took on their trip before she went to the hospital. I only have 1 picture as I still have to learn how to work the computer and how to transfer from one computer to another. There wasn’t time to make CD’s on this trip. I’ll get it, but with practice. Pat spent hours “fixing” an old photo we had with a sun streak across Uncle Fred’s face. She finally took his face off another photo, copied it and pasted it on the damaged one. She kept photo records of all occasions and loved sharing them. We were lucky recipients. That’s another gift Pat had. She was very giving of her time and talents. One of the best compliments were the clients that came to Pat’s celebration from the Aphasia place where Pat volunteered by teaching computer skills. Pat would have loved seeing us all having such a good time telling “Pat” stories.

For Harry Potter fans

I belong to 2 book clubs. One we all read the same book and then discuss it. The other we all buy a current hard cover book and pass it around. So we get to read a wonderful variety of current fiction or non-fiction books. We meet once a month and have a speaker talk to us, usually stimulating us to read something else.

Last night Judge Karen Morris spoke to us about a book she wrote. She is a local judge and also teaches at Monroe Community College. Because she teaches, she also writes text books so went to a book sellers convention several years ago. As she tells it, she loves the law and because she teaches, she likes to make what some people think is dull, fun.

Karen had not read any of the Harry Potter books, but at the same time as this convention one of the books was going on sale at midnight and she wondered who would turn up for a kids book at midnight. She was amazed at the crowd and the variety of ages. And subsequently found out that other authors were writing books such as 'The Science of Harry Potter'. Karen got the idea that it might be fun to write a book about the law and Harry Potter.

So Karen Morris wrote 'Law Made Fun Through Harry Potter's Adventures'. Her review was fun and the book is available through Amazon and Barnes and Noble on line in paperback and e-reader. Last night I couldn't resist and ordered it on my Kindle and have started reading it. It is interesting the way she compares "Hogwarts" law to "muggle" (regular people) law. This is a fun book for Harry Potter fans. The good thing about the e-reader is I have the book right away and the problem with the e-reader is that Karen can't autograph it for me. (She only had a few books with her)

Where Does The Time Go?

Colleen was here for a visit a few years ago and asked me what quilt projects I was working on. So I showed her and was surprised to find I had 10 projects in various stages of being done ... or not. I have moved on from there, but still have projects I'm trying to complete.

Last night Colleen called to chat and during the conversation she mentioned an organization that might like some pillowcases ... "and it shouldn't take too long to make 25 of them by Christmas, would it, Mom?"

So I dismissed it after I counted up all the projects I had in various stages of "doness" now. Let's see, 2 baby quilts (I Spy) for expecting neighbors, 3 comfort (charity) quilts basted ready for quilting, a quilt for our bed because the one we have is getting thread bare (1/2 hand quilted), a neighbors quilt top I acquired at a sale (3 years and still hand quilting), a Germany remembrance and a small Thanksgiving wall hanging that I finished last night.

This morning I had to go down to the sewing room for some laundry and what did I find myself doing? Laundry? Oh, no! I was going through my stash of fabric to see what I could use for pillowcases! Now my mostly cleaned up sewing room is not so pristine ... again!

And that's where the time goes. Not to a current project, but to new ones. Now I'm going to work on finishing ... something ... but those pillowcase fabrics are calling. I think I'll email Colleen the directions for making the pretty pillowcases. She can do some, too.

Oh, yes, PT is working. I'm bending my leg back to 120° so PT is almost over, although Mike (PT) said that in order to keep in this good shape I should think of exercise as a life long activity. But there are those pillowcases to get done!

WooHoo!

It's been 4 weeks and 2 days since I had my left knee replaced and I'm making headway. Today I had PT and Lynelle had me do several exercises all the while encouraging me to do my best. I knew I was further along than I was with the right knee at the same time & Lynelle was also curious so she looked up my records.

At 4 weeks and 2 days with my right knee I was bending my leg to 74 degrees and today I'm bending my left knee to 100 degrees! And this time I'm also able to straighten my leg better. I am very pleased!

The funniest part of the day was when Lynelle wanted me to do some exercises on the floor so she asked me if I could get down there. I said, "Sure, but could I get up again?" Down I went and went through all Lynelle asked of me. Then I had to get up. I'm SO glad there was no camera. We laughed a lot, but with both legs not 100% healed it was a challenge, but I made it. I sure do need to work on getting off the floor gracefully. Did Chuck or Lynelle help me? No. They were too busy laughing along with me. I'll not be gardening for a while. Next spring will be better, I'm sure.

New Left Knee

This is the year of replacements ... my right knee, Chuck's left hip, refrigerator, floor in computer room, both bathrooms painted and now my left knee. We are so lucky that all physical problems have gone smoothly so far. Well, except for the first schedule of the knee when I went into atrial fibrillation ... but that is under control and seems to have been a fluke. How quickly we forget.

This left knee seems to be easier than the right one for me & I don't think it's just because I'm familiar with the procedure. The medical staff have told me they usually find the opposite; people have more problems with the second knee. My problem is not doing too much as my bone is still weakened. It feels so good to stand at the sink with equal weight on both legs and be comfortable.

Bending the leg is pretty good, too. I was not anywhere near 90º after 2 weeks last time nor was my leg as straight. I am not as swollen, either, but a lovely black, blue & green. And, yes, I am taking those pain pills. I'll be so glad when I can situate myself in bed comfortably. I like to sleep on my side and have difficulty as my knee says it doesn't want to move that way.

We have had some meals delivered and they are such a wonderful help. Chuck has been doing a great job of waiting on me and I love that the weather is warm so I can be outside. I've picked a few weeds and dead headed some blossoms and the yard looks pretty good. What I really want to do is some real digging in the soil. Some of the daylilies need to be divided. I know, it won't be long. Patience, Claire.

So I'll sit and read. "The Geeks Shall Inherit The Earth" is an interesting book about cliques in school & I enjoyed the new Ursula Hegi book & if you like a different mystery "Sister" is very good. And I forgot to add Ann Patchett's new book "State of Wonder. Good reading!

Time for my pain pill as I have physical therapy in 1 hour. Those PT people are so good at encouraging me to push just a little harder. It hurts, but the end result is SO worth it!