Along Michigan Avenue

After we came down from atop the John Hancock Tower, my friend said to me, "We can walk back to the hotel." I was not at all sure that would work, but we took it easy as we walked along Michigan Avenue. There is always something interesting to look at. I'm not much of a shopper, so the stores did not beckon to me. However, all along the way there were interesting plantings and every so often there were these dresses.

I thought of Kenju when I saw these creations. She is florist extraordinaire, you know. I was glad for a chance to stop and take a look and then snap a photo. It rested my feet and legs a bit.

Several years ago, when I started going to Chicago for conferences, there was always something to grab your attention. The first one that I remember was "Cows on Parade." There were cows everywhere, beautifully decorated according to the taste of the artist. Many cities began to do something similar. Cincinnati had "Pigs on Parade." Even our city here has geckos here and there on buildings to which artists have added their touch. Since we're Manatee County, I always thought we should have manatees, but nobody asked me. We do have lots of geckos around.

I have a few more photos to post of Chicago, then I'll be going on to a much more important date...Ella's first birthday. Can you believe that baby will be a year old next Saturday, August 4!!! I just got some new photos of her that are so cute! I know you can hardly wait. LOL.

Commenting or lack of same

I want to let those of you who use the blogger comments know that for some reason I almost always cannot leave a comment on your posts. Please know that I am reading them faithfully, and if I had your e-mail, I'd let you know that way. There must be a glitch in my program somewhere, but I don't know how to fix it.

Atop the Hancock Tower

After visiting the aquarium, my friend and I took the trolley back into the city and got off at the John Hancock tower. After getting a bite to eat, we rode to the top to have a view of the city from on high. The Navy Pier, which is a very popular place, is clearly visible from the tower. To the left is a water treatment plant.

Moving on around, looking to the south, one can see the many tall structures that make up the skyline of Chicago. Coming from Florida where we don't have many towers or high buildings, I'm always in awe of the height of these buildings.

Looking down on these buildings, you can see that people have their patios on the top of the buildings. Many of the hotels have their pools on the top as well.

Before we left I decided to lie down on one of the beams so that you can get some perspective of the view from the top. One could also have his picture made appearing to be washing windows. I decided not to work that day, but there were lots of folks lined up to have their pictures made there.

Under the Sea

Tank after tank of fish and sea life were available for viewing at the aquarium. Many, many displays and lots of people there. Here and there in small areas seated on the floor were docents with their young charges, teaching about the wonders of the sea and the need for conservation.

Several tanks had eels. I wouldn't want to meet one of them at any time. They do indeed have a menacing look.

Camouflage is a wonderful provision of protection for the creatures. I believe this is a spongefish. At first glance, one does not necessarily see the fish, but on closer look, one can see the eyes, the mouth, and the fins.

This tank reminded me of the couple of times that I went snorkeling off the coast of Haiti...truly a different world to behold. I think God had a wonderful sense of humor and great imagination when He created some of our lifeforms. If you click on the photos, you can, of course, see them in greater detail. In the last photo, if you click on it, you can find Nemo. His name seems to be universal. When I was standing looking at these tanks, I kept hearing "There's Nemo...there's Nemo."

Is it safe to come out now?

Walking around the streets of Chicago, I frequently saw these in the sidewalk. I assume that they are fire hydrants, but I don't know for sure, and I didn't see anyone to ask. This photo looks like it's begging for a caption, so I'm going to steal a line from Carmi, "Caption this." I have a couple of ideas of my own, but I'll wait and see what you come up with.

An free and easy way to get around Chicago is to ride the free trolley. A couple of blocks from the hotel, we boarded the red trolley which took us up Michigan Avenue and then to the transfer spot for the green trolley which took us to the museum area of the city. We took it as far as the Shedd Aquarium, got off, enjoyed our visit, and then boarded again to return to our transfer spot. This young man kept us all in order. The pylons were marked with the color of the desired trolley, and he made sure that everyone was in line according to when he had arrived.

It was a beautiful, cool, sunny day when we rode the trolley, so the side flaps were up, and we enjoyed the breeze as it wafted through the car. Everyone was in a good mood, looking forward to a day of sightseeing.

On the way back to the hotel, we once again rode the green trolley to our transfer spot. As we passed by the Art Institute, I thought of Aslan as I saw this lion. He looked a little braver than Vicki's lion at the zoo. I had mentioned in an earlier post that I expected to see Vicki and visit the zoo, but alas, she is a very busy lady, and our schedules didn't quite mesh. As much as I wanted to visit with her, I knew that she was pressed for time. If you go to her blog, you'll see that she was visiting with her dear Bud for much of the week when I was in the Windy City.

When we got back on the red trolley, we rode until we got to the John Hancock Tower where we had lunch and then went to the top. We tried to get reservations to eat on the 94th floor, but they didn't have any...so we ate at the Che*secake Factory and then went to the top. Come back next time for some wonderful views of Chicago.

Chicago

Greetings from Chicago. I spent last week in the Windy City, enjoying a couple of conferences and sightseeing a bit. Behind me in this photo is the Sears Tower. I'm standing outside the Shedd Aquarium.

I arrived on Monday and immediately went to the McCormick Place for the P*mpered Chef conference. When I went this year, I had it in my head that I would "retire" from the business. I have remained active for the last two years by doing minimum requirements. My general health has prevented me from really enjoying doing the cooking shows, but I have enough clients who buy from me that I haven't stopped selling. Of course, when I go to these meetings and see all the new products, it's hard to give it up. Besides, I enjoy so much the friends that I've made through the business.

A view from our room at the Sh*raton Hotel downtown. I enjoyed looking out window at the sights below. If you ever visit the city, the architectural boat tours are a must. I've been on a couple and learn something new each time. They take you up the river here and explain all the different styles of architecture and share a lot of the history of the city.

the lobby of the hotel looks out over the river. It is a pleasure to sit here and enjoy the view or

walk outside along the river and enjoy the flowers in the park that is beside the hotel.

"Punny" Business

I'm going to be in Chicago next week. Hopefully, I'll be seeing Vicki at the Lincoln Park Zoo, if she can fit it into her already busy schedule, and if it's not too hot.

I'm going there for a couple of conferences, with a little bit of playing in between. I leave you with the following story.

"Clown Bite"

Trouser was normally a happy-go-lucky dog. He would chase tennis balls, play with other doggies, and eat his dinner without a fuss. He was a dog without a care.

But on that fateful autumn afternoon, it was to be different.

Trouser's owners were walking him along a trail at the park, when suddenly from out of the bushes jumped a man all dressed in black. He had white paint on his face, and was gesturing annoyingly at Trouser's masters. This strange person spoke not a word, but proceeded to pretend that he was trapped in a box and that he was pulling on a long rope.

Seeing the sheer horror on his masters' faces, Trouser took it upon himself to rectify the situation. With a low growl he jumped and sank his teeth into this annoying pseudo clown's leg.

Trouser immediately got a sickened look in his eyes and began to vomit wildly. He then dragged his tongue all over the ground in an effort to remove the man's foul essence from his mouth.

For Trouser had learned that a mime is a terrible thing to taste.

from Pastor Tim

Drolleries

Some time a go I shared with you a print that my son and his wife gave me for Christmas. It is a print of Patricia Buckley Moss, a painter who lives part of the year in Waynesboro and part of the year in St. Petersburg, and other places, I believe. While visiting with David and his family this June, I visited her museum which is just outside of Waynesboro. If you were to walk into her museum, you would probably say to yourself, "Of course, I know her work." She has become known for her paintings of the "Plain People," the Amish, but she paints in many styles.

When I received this print at Christmas, I was interested in her cats. Cats appear in many of her paintings, and I read that they represent the artist looking at the people who are looking at her paintings. Her cats can be described as drolleries - fanciful designs of a playful character...historically used in the margins of medieval manuscripts, whimsical humor. Also French spelling, "droleries" from Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary.

"Cats in the history of art are ambivalent, usually female, animals who at different times have symbolized both good and evil. Ancient Egyptians associated cats with the protection of homes, mothers, and children. Painted and carved cats along with their mummified remains have been found in numerous tombs. During the Middle Ages, cats were taken assigns of the devil and his evil ways and were believed to be witches' animals. Luckily for the species, its reputation was redeemed when it was noticed that in towns or homes with cats, residents were less likely to suffer the consequences of the Black Death, a disease carried by flea-infested rats. Religious art of the time, with its many cat-like droleries, likely reflect the notion that the presence of cats-rat killers-was a good omen."...quoted from The Messenger, a publication of the museum.

The writer continues, "Naturally there's always the possibility that cats in Moss paintings simply mean that there were lots of cats around when Pat was painting, especially in a household with six growing children..."

It is suggested that the highly stylized animals represent the spirit of the artist herself. Perhaps it is her way of not intruding into her art, but still being there....to observe, to enjoy, and to be a part of the action that she created.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time spent there, and so would you. Her museum is located just south of I-64, exit 99. I shall return another day when I'm there. I also plan to visit the gallery in St. Pete where her work is displayed.

I'll share more of her art with you next time.

This Little Light of Mine

I've spent this week trying to catch up with myself after my long day of travel on Sunday. And here it is, almost Sunday again. I have several posts in my mind, but they haven't seemed to find it onto the computer yet.

I'm still having problems with being able to comment on posts that use Bl*gger's comments. When it asks me if if is o.k. to show everything, I click yes; it appears to be o.k., then the message comes up again, and I can't do anything. I've gone into the security section and can't seem to figure it out. Oh well. Please know that I'm reading your posts but feel very frustrated when I can't let you know that I was there.

I'm including a post here from Steve Goodier.

ATTRACTING PEOPLE TO YOU


In West Virginia folklore there is a story of a country doctor who was called out to a holler late one night to assist a woman about to give birth. By the time the doctor arrived at the farmhouse, things had progressed to a point where the doctor asked the husband to help him by holding a gas lantern up high in order to illuminate the makeshift delivery room. Before long, the courageous mother delivered a healthy baby boy. As the father lowered the lantern, the doctor barked an order to keep the lantern aloft: "We're not done yet."

Shortly, a second child appeared on the scene, a healthy baby girl. Shaken by the unexpected arrival of twins, the father heard the doctor say once again, "We can't stop now. It looks as if it's going to be triplets."
To which the stunned father, still holding the lantern high, replied, "Do you think it's the light that's attracting them?"

Light has a quality of attraction. I recently left my office door open late one afternoon in our mountain home and, at dusk, the light from within attracted -- a hummingbird! (Coaxing a hummingbird out of the house is a little like pushing a rope. Mostly, whatever you do doesn't work.)

You, too, have a light that attracts...an inner light. Not visible to the naked eye, but apparent just the same. We speak of a "twinkle" in the eye or a "flicker" of warmth in the heart. Some people shine with a light of kindness. Others emit a light of hope. There are those who glow with enthusiasm and still others who radiate love. Almost all creatures are drawn to light, including humans.

Do you want to attract people to you? Positive and life-affirming inner qualities can attract people like a warm fire on a cold night. What will draw other people to you best cannot be purchased in any department store. They will respond to that which radiates from within. You may not always see it, but your light is shining through. And it's one of your most attractive qualities!

Let your light shine.

Correction

Yesterday I wrote about the fact that Ella would need a high salt, high fat diet. I'm not sure that I was correct in stating "high fat." The fact is that CFers have a hard time maintaining weight, and so they need a high calorie diet. There is a difference there. Because the pancreas is often insufficient, malabsorption is a problem. Infants who are not screened at birth often present with "failure to thrive." They don't gain weight and don't absorb nutrients.

For that reason it is necessary to take enzymes before eating and supplementing the diet with fat soluble vitamins, A, D, E, and K. I know in reading in the forum that parents are always looking for high calorie snacks and recipes to feed their children to help them gain weight. I look at some of those recipes and think to myself, "M-m-m, good," and then I realize that I would be bigger than I am now if I ate them.

One mom wrote that they had a separate cabinet for their child's snacks because she (the mom) had gained so much weight. I do read that often they add extra butter and cream to recipes, so there's something about the extra fat. Not being a nutritionist nor an expert in CF, I don't understand it all.

Recently there is the over the counter diet pill which prevents absorption. If you listen to the ads and facts about it, some of the side effects are what CFers have if they're not on a regimen of enzymes. As one of them wrote, "Why would anyone pay $60 a month to be like us?"

I would recommend a blog to you. Lauren, a young woman in California with CF, has an educational blog, Blogging about CF. She explains so much about the condition. I hope someday that she publishes her material. There is a wealth of information there.

Ready for church

Ella's aunt Sarah sent her this Pooh dress when I went up to visit, so Ella's mom dressed her in it for church on Sunday. After church we drove over to Staunton to the Five Guys diner for cheeseburgers and fries. Definitely not a low fat meal, but it really was good.

Ella is at the age that everything goes in her mouth. This straw entertained her for quite a while there at the diner. She's not quite into fries yet. However, I read about one mom of a CFer who buys her son fries at McDonald's and pours extra salt on them. David and Sabrina were told by the doctor that a high fat, high salt diet will be a part of Ella's regimen. They've worked so hard at not including those things in their diet, and now they will have to rethink everything when it comes to Ella's diet.

She did get a taste of chocolate ice cream during the week while I was there. And guess what! She liked it. Surprise, surprise.

Home...finally

I spent a wonderful week in Virginia with my son and his family. Ella was an absolute delight. She is enjoying life to its fullest...so full of laughter and smiles. I believe she knew her grammy by the time the week was over. She would actually come to me from her parents' arms. She's a lover of books, a girl after my own heart. Right now, they go into her mouth. I wish they were all cloth. I have bought her many of the books by Eric Carle in the cardboard form for babies. They are favorites of mine that I used with my first grade classes.

When I retired from teaching, I disposed of a lot of teaching materials, but not the books that I had accumulated. Ella has them now...many of the Eric Carle books and some by Jan Brett. If you don't know her books, you're missing out on some wonderful artwork. She beautifully illustrates each page of her stories.

Anyway, I was to leave Richmond at 6:58, change planes in Atlanta, and land in Sarasota at 10:41. When I got to Richmond, with plenty of time to spare, the board said that the plane was on time. Later on I looked up, and it said "delayed." The girl at the desk announced that the plane would be late coming from Atlanta, but that everyone would be able to make their connections. I only had 25 minutes between planes, so when I asked her about that, she said, "Oh, your plane won't leave Atlanta until 9:55.

I arrived in Atlanta, only to have to go from one concourse to another. The girl at the desk had told some people that the plane to Sarasota was leaving from D-2, which, of course, was as far away as one could get. I didn't look at the board to see what time it was leaving, so I hurried over there. Passengers were boarding a plane, and when I asked where they were going, they said, "Seattle." Then someone said that the plane to Sarasota was leaving at 11:50. So I had hurried in vain.

The airport had been closed for a while because of the weather, and there were people everywhere. I got something to eat, got out my computer, and played games for a while. I was impressed with peoples' behavior. No one was rude. I did feel for people traveling with children. One flight was cancelled, and I heard some moans, but they were all given hotel rooms and vouchers for one-way travel within the year.

Sarah had taken me to the airport when I left to go to Virginia, and I told her I'd get a taxi home, but she said to call her when I got in. So at 1:45 in the morning I called Sarah, and she came to get her old mother. Thank you, Sarah. I got to bed around 3 this morning and had to get up to go get a shot at 9:15. Needless to say, I've been napping some today. I'm so glad I didn't have to go to a job today.

I have done something to my computer, and I cannot leave a comment on the blogger comments. It has something to do with the security. And so, Karen, Early Bird, Babette, AC, Carmi, and any others...I've been reading your posts and trying to comment, but I'm restricted for some reason. I'll get it figured out.

Pictures of Ella to follow...of course.

In Virginia

I flew up to Virginia on Sunday. Landing in Richmond right on schedule. I went to the car rental to pick up a car that I had reserved. I had filled out the paperwork online, and when I went to the counter, the young lady said, "Oh, I love to see these forms already filled out." I was glad I made someone's day. She asked me if I would like a PT Cru*ser. I responded, "Oh, why not." It's a cute little car, but I wouldn't want to take a long trip in one.

I arrived at my son's home around 8:45, so Ella was already in bed, and it wasn't until Monday morning that I saw her. She wasn't sure who I was. Her daddy is home with her this summer, so she is VERY attached to him. He is a wonderful daddy. He's doing some cleaning out of some shrubs in the front yard, so after she went down for her nap, he went out to work. When Ella woke up, I went in to get her. She didn't want to have anything to do with me...pushed my hand away, and walked to the other end of the crib. I finally took her out. We talked for a while, looked at some of the photos in her room, and then went out into the living room to play.

After a while she heard her daddy working, and so we went outside and watched him work for a while.

I seem to have hot weather follow me wherever I go. Yes, it is hot here. The humidity is nothing to compare with that in Florida, but I wouldn't want to be out running a race. Ella's parents bought her a pool to splash in. David said that he wanted one big enough that he could get in and cool off too, so after working in the yard, he changed into a swim suit, and he and Ella got in the pool for a few minutes. She was so cute trying to catch the water out of the watering can.

Today has been totally different. She has a big grin when she sees me. If I pick her up and her daddy is nearby, she doesn't fuss, so maybe she is remembering me from before...whatever it is, it makes me one happy Grammy.

Tucker, Ella, and a Wedding

Friend Vicki blogged about her fat cat McCloud this morning. I commented that I was glad for the fat that padded me when I went sprawling on the ground at David's in April. At least it was the soft ground and not hard concrete. I wrote about Tucker's surgery a while ago. He had a large cancerous mass removed from his side. You can see how much he was opened up by the stitches here. The vet said that if he had been a little heavier, he would have had more skin to pull together for suturing. So fat is good for some things.

After his two weeks with the cone around his head, he was quite relieved to have it removed along with the stitches. He's feeling quite fit and his fur is growing back to cover his scar.

On Sunday I'm flying to Virginia to spend a week with Ella and her parents. It's been about six weeks since I was there, so I'm eager to see her again. I can't believe in another month it will be her first birthday. Sarah and I will be driving up for that joyous occasion. This first year has been adventure. We are so thankful that she has been healthy throughout this first year.

Tomorrow I'm going to a wedding. The daughter of good friends is being married to a young man who is a seminary student. When he's finished, they are interested in perhaps working as missionaries in Italy. This young lady is the granddaughter of one of our former pastors. When her brother got married a few years ago, he married a young woman who had grown up in the church. That wedding was like a big family reunion. Friends who had moved away or who had gone to other churches all came back for that wedding. It was a wonderful gathering, and I'm looking forward to that same type of celebration tomorrow. I know I won't be disappointed.

Always Ready to Protect

I almost laughed out loud last Sunday at church. When we stood to sing, this faithful fireman was standing in front of me. After church I couldn't resist asking him if I could take a photo of his back. I'm sure that Hardee County has nothing to fear.

Postscript: When I took this photo and posted this, the fire in Charleston had not taken place. My heart goes out to all those firefighters whose lives were lost in that furniture store fire. What a loss for that firehouse and all the families left without husbands, sons, fathers, wives, moms, and daughters.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to my son as he celebrates his first with Ella.

Daddy, I love you
For all that you do.
I'll kiss you and hug you
'Cause you love me, too.

You feed me and need me
To teach you to play,
So smile 'cause I love you
On this Father's Day.

by Nicholas Gordon

Here they come...there they go

Sarah called me tonight to see if I was o.k. She said she kept checking to see if I had posted anything new, and I hadn't. I told her I was lazy. I looked today to see when the last post was, and it was four days ago, so I guess it's time. One blogger I read one day said that she drew a blank on a post for that day.

I intend to post more photos from the one-room schoolhouse, but I thought I'd post these of Ella and her daddy. A couple of weekends ago, Sabrina's family gathered in Waynesboro to celebrate her brother's 21st birthday, and they took lots of great family photos at the park. These two were among them.

The One-Room School

At the historical park in Man*tee County is a one-room school house which was in Bunker Hill. The interior today has been replicated to show what it was like in the early days. If you enlarge this photo and read about it, it mentions B. D. Gull*tt who was a teacher and then later superintendent of schools here in our county. We have a new elementary school here in our county which has been named for him. I have a very good friend here in Bradenton whose husband is the grandson of this gentleman. His brothers and sisters will all be coming to Bradenton for the dedication of this new school.

Did you ever go to a one-room school? When I taught in Haiti, our school had two rooms, one for the lower elementary classes and then one for the upper and junior high classes. I was able to get a little bit of the feel of a one-room classroom since I had grades seven, eight, and nine together in one room. This classroom also reminds me a bit of "Little House on the Pra*rie."

Back in those days, you wouldn't want to sit in the corner. Someone would surely tell your parents, and then you'd be punished again when you got home. It isn't like that today, though, is it.

Our county still has a one-room school. It is out in the county, and the residents of the area keep fighting to keep it. The county, for economic reasons, would like to close it and bring those children in to the larger schools, but so far they have not prevailed. Only time will tell.

If you go here, there is a poem about a one-room schoolhouse.

Look out world, here I come!

Here I come, ready or not!

When boring is good

I had a checkup with my primary care physician last week. In giving her a rundown on what had been going on, I mentioned to her that I had been to the cardiologist and that the appointment had been rather ho-hum. Her comment was "That can be a good thing." And that was my point exactly.

I had an e-mail from my daughter-in-law. Ella was scheduled for an appointment with the CF specialist, and she made this statement, "I think this is going to be a boring appointment because she's doing so well." Well, bring on the boring!

She wrote later and said that if all goes well, after her next appointment which is around her first birthday, that she will go every three months for checkups. This year she has gone anywhere from every month to six weeks.
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News flash!

I got a letter from S*cial S*curity the other day stating that I was entitled to a larger monthly benefit. When my husband died, I was 60, so I took his benefit. When I was talking with the counselor, she said, "Now you don't need to call us again until you are sixty-five and seven months, or if you get married."

Well, how time has flown. I didn't call, so they came looking for me. Some of you may recall that when I got my Med*care card, that I said that it had my maiden name on it. Why? Because for some reason or another I never changed it with SS when I got married. The number remained the same, so it really didn't matter a whole lot, I guess.

However, sometimes not all the brightest lights work in offices or for insurance companies, and when I presented my Med*care card which had not only my maiden name, but also my husband's SS#, and my insurance card with my married name, the reaction in doctor's offices were varied. (sorry for the run-on sentence) The first office said, "Well, you have to go by Wr*ght now. You're no longer Wh*tcomb." To which I said that it was fine. I rather liked my old name. Another office said, "Now you need to call your insurance company and make sure they know who you are." I guess they were afraid they weren't going to get their payment.

The last office I went to, I loved. The girl looked at it and said, "Whatever. It's not a problem." And it hasn't been.

However, I made an appointment to go down to the local branch and sign up for my benefits, and while there I took my marriage license from 1973 and finally changed my name on my SS card, so now every doctor's office I go to will be able to look at the two cards and see the same name and see my actual SS# and not my husband's.

When I walked into the local agency, I had to take a number. I did have an appointment, thankfully. There was quite a mixture of folks there. I had to show id, of course. I was asked if I was carrying any firearms. They checked my purse and the envelope that I was carrying, and then I was given my number and I sat and waited. My appointment was for 9, and I was called in at 9:05. Better than a doctor's office, huh.

So now everyone can relax. I know who I am, and so does every doctor's office that I'll ever go to. They can rest easy. They'll get their money.