Bittersweet Memories

This will be the first year since 2004 - 9 years - that we've missed opening weekend of The Maryland Renaissance Festival in Crownsville, MD

This will be the first year in 10 years that we haven't attended.

Yes you heard that right.  We're not going this year.  With the move, the impending foreclosure on the house in Maryland, and other expenses, we just can't justify it.

It's hard being an adult.

I will miss the smells.  I will miss the leaves 'raining' on me during the autumn.  I will miss the smiles, the laughter, the hugs, the kisses.  I will miss the lovely wenches loving up on my husband.  I will miss the dressup, the pretend, the parading around the site, drinking out of a wooden mug and eating food that you just normally wouldn't (like food on a stick).

I will miss the friends.

However, as time marches on, sometimes difficult decisions are made.  As Jon said, we have a new life now.

Perhaps next year.  Or maybe not.  We will see where life takes us next year.

the photo above is from the side of The Dragon's Lair looking up towards The Dragon Inn.  A favorite spot of ours - just across from the elephants.  Good times and good friends and the fondest of memories.

Profound Words of Wisdom

Don't complain that you have to go to work - be thankful that you can go to work - Sarah Osborne Bugg.

No she wasn't talking about be thankful that you have a job.  Rather - upon our 50th birthdays (hers a few days before mine) she was sharing words of wisdom from her mother.

Her mother was a woman who was thrilled to be able to see 50.  She had been fighting a terminal illness for near to a decade.  She lost the fight a few years after her 50th birthday.

But this isn't about terminal illnesses and the losses they cause.  This is about the ability to work.  See Sarah's mother couldn't work.  She was disabled.

She missed work.  She missed going to work.  She missed being productive.  Heck she missed going out.

That's something I often forget with Jon.  Since he cannot drive anymore and honestly it's just not safe for him to wander about without me, he's trapped.  Trapped in the house.  Trapped in the car with me driving.  Trapped with my decisions.

Thankfully he loves me or else it could be a quick road to resentment.  I cannot say I would handle it better.  Hell I know I wouldn't.  Being perfectly honest, I would probably take out my frustrations - and yes envy - on him.

That would be envy of freedom, of mobility, of choice.

He had an awesome career as a data base administrator.  He could program SQL and COBOL and make databases dance and sing.

Now he greets me in the mornings and watches me get ready for work - my mundane little job make sure people get paid.  He watches TV and reads and watches YouTube on the computer and naps until I get home.  Then he greets me and often has to hear about my horrible day --- probably thinking You Bitch at least you get to get out and DO SOMETHING.

ok knowing Jon he's not thinking anything of the sort but I bet it is still a bit bittersweet to hear about my struggles throughout the day ....

So for today - on this day after our 11th anniversary (and in his 2nd year of full disability) I will try and remember those words of wisdom that Sarah Osborne Bugg shared with me courtesy of her mother.....

Don't complain that you have to go to work - be thankful that you can go to work

***
the photo above was taken last year in Virginia Beach.  Jon was watching the rain .... and quite possibly remembering the times we walked the beaches in rain -- or shine -- and just cannot anymore.  Yet you can still see the smile.  That's facing life with grace and wisdom and integrity and peaceful acceptance.  Oh I wish I could say I would be that amazing ... I know I wouldn't.

On being 50 .......

Hard to believe.  50.  Wow.  Shouldn't I feel something?  Shouldn't I feel different?  Maybe have an epiphany?

Apparently not.  Just another day.  Another milestone.

I decided low-key was the way to go.  I treated myself to an awesome massage and a fabulous facial at our local day-spa.  I will say this:  living where I do, everything is close.  This place is just around the corner less than 3 minutes from the house.

I did get to hear that I didn't have the skin of a 50 year old - more like 40.  Sunblock works apparently.  My hands and forearms tell the tale of my age though.  I see the veins, the rough spots, and yes I know these hands have worked.  I see the beginnings of varicose veins on my legs and yes they've worked as well.  My body has served me well though I would prefer a bit less padding.

I also decided to toss the diet to the four-winds today and eat junk.  It wasn't as awesome as I thought it would be.  Perhaps another lesson learned there?

I'm at a good place in my life.  I have a career that I can either choose to expand or just keep as status quo.  A decade or so ago, I would have wanted to keep reaching, keep pushing, keep trying for more more more.  Now?  not as much.  I don't want to be in charge.  I just want to be indispensable *grin*  I'm happy at work.  I have enough to do to keep me from being bored without being stressed.  This is a wonderful gift.

I have a husband who adores me, though why I will never know.  I have 3 awesome children who call me Mom though I only gave birth to one of them.  I have awesome grandchildren.  I have friends throughout the country to whom I touch base daily and we keep up in each others lives, trials, joys, and tribulations.  More gifts.  The best gifts of all - people who you can love you can choose to love you in return.

Yes 50 is fabulous.  I bet 60 is even better.

I cannot take credit for the photo - it's a cake topper.  Since I'm not a cake person, I rarely get to see these but I thought hey Groovy ..........

For some, love is ..........

.....diamonds

.....flowers

.....expensive trips

.....a new car?


For me?

Love is having a partner who not only knows your tastes in shoes but knows your shoe size :D

We went to Target today.  I knew I needed some new sandals because frankly mine were worn out.  I told Jon I wanted to look at the shoes.  While I'm looking, he comes back with a pair from another aisle.  Then while I'm looking some more, he comes back with 3 boxes and tells me "You Need These".

Yes I definitely have a keeper.  I went with the idea of grabbing one or two pair of sandals.  We compromised at 4 pair -- he wanted to keep shopping.

It's definitely a special man who can buy a woman shoes - and who demonstrates he enjoys it :D

I can't take credit for the photo but isn't it a great quote?  Shoes didn't change my life but they remind me just how much I adore my beloved.

Shades of the future, remembrances of the past

The photo above is from NOAA of the April 26 1991 Red Rock (OK) tornado.  Apparently they didn't capture the Cowley County tornado of that day.

Anyway, yesterday at work I hear an eerie sound come over the loud speaker - one I'd not heard in over 10 years.  Everyone just stood around and I asked "whoa are we under a tornado warning?"

Yes I know the heart stopping sound of a tornado siren.  I hear them in my sleep.  I hear them in my nightmares even though I never heard the siren that April day.  Being raised in Kansas and Oklahoma you just know that sound.  You grow up with it.  You live with it every year.  The first few seconds tell you to grab what you're going to and find shelter - NOW.

Next over the loud speaker was that we had a weather warning and for everyone to shut down their machines and go to the nearest shelter in place.  While others were standing about going WTF?, I shut down my laptop, grabbed my purse and headed to where we were supposed to go.

Was it a drill?  probably.  If so they picked a really bad time to do it.  It was dark and a bit stormy outside.  Anyone from tornado alley knows you NEVER test the sirens - which test every Tuesday where I'm from - when it's even the slightest bit stormy.

The general consensus was it was a drill even though that was never announced.  It was probably a drill even though the factory was told to stop the line and shut down the machines - something they don't do even for fire drills.

I don't care if it was a drill or if someone jumped the gun on something.  All I know is the seconds of heart stopping fear....and the memories that flooded back like it was just yesterday.

...not like it was over 20 years ago

photo credit NOAA.  When I get my scanner set up, I will probably post photos of what was left after that fateful day in the beautiful spring of 91 ... and what wasn't left.

Creative Solutions for Small Living

So what does one do when they have glassware and china but doesn't have the dining room space for a conventional china hutch?  Enter the curio cabinet.  This is the one Jon picked.  I was dubious but after putting them together (yes I got 2 - one for each corner) I must say that it's a good move.

As you can see, no wasted space.  In a small apartment, that is a must.  Plus with my glass and chrome dining table it works.

We did the less-is-more with some creative solutions for bookcases.  Enter IKEA on that one.  We were very limited how deep they could be in the living room without blocking the walkway.  We checked every place we could, measured the ikea bookcase we currently have, and ended up ordering 2 more.

Having to think outside the box as it were ... I just wish when it was outside the box, it was already assembled.

I can't take credit for the photo - that is the photo that is used on Amazon where we purchased the curio cabinets.  When I get the dining room finished, I'll post photos.

Trash - out of sight out of mind?

No that's not my kitchen but it is the same floorplan as mine (sort of)

We have a tiny galley style kitchen.  I thought the big issue would be where to put all of my cookware.  Thanks to some creative thinking and space saving devices, that isn't the problem.

It's where do you put the trash can?

We've tried under the sink counter.  Not really convenient.  Then we tried having one in the dining room.  Hated it.  Now we're back to the under-the-counter solution.  Of course that means that the tiny trash can gets full every day or at least every other day.  Yes with just two of us it is amazing the amount of kitchen trash we have.

There's a lesson there I'm quite certain.

So for now, I'm still trying to figure out an equitable - and aesthetic - solution to our problem.

at least I can take out the trash and haul to the dumpster anytime I want.  If we had been on scheduled trash pickup I don't know what we would do.

photo credit:  beaumont farms

Harold's idea of Feng Shui

I've mentioned before the maximization of empty space.  It's not for esthetic value.  It's not for traditional Feng Shui, it's simply a necessity with Parkinsons.

However Jon's chair.  OMG the CHAIR. It's big.  It's bulky.  It doesn't really fit anywhere.  If our cable hookups were on an interior wall it would work and work beautifully.  However as Harold gently reminded me, it's not about me.

So I lost the coffee table.  Just no flow-through with it.  The chair is the perfect place to Jon to get into and out of and meander about.  It works well where it is even if it's a bit, well, out in the living space.  We still have spaces for him to safely move from one area to the other.

Feng-ing the Shui - our way I guess.

of course that also meant we needed to rethink the tv stand.  one is on order with amazon - i believe i need power tools and of course a TON of patience.

I cannot take credit for the photo.  It came from www.decoist.com  A nifty site about balance and beauty.

Downsizing - it ain't for the faint at heart

No I cannot take credit for the graphic but I am finding the wisdom within it.

Going from a townhouse to an apartment has been interesting.  I'm very glad I didn't try to bring my dining room furniture because there is no way it would have fit.  We just brought the table and chairs.

Of course that means that I now have no place for my china or glassware.  Every piece of furniture from showcases to china hutches were all just way too big.  We're trying to minimize the used space and maximize the empty space.  Not easy in an apartment but necessary for Jon.

Enter Amazon and the curio cabinet.  I found two that would fit in the small corners of the dining area.  While I absolutely loathe putting together furniture, there really isn't a furniture place here that sells small minimalist stuff.  Welcome to the heartland eh?

While surfing on amazon I also found two night stands and a headboard that Jon liked so I guess I will be putting together furniture for a while.

Should've brought my power tools I guess.

We also ended up needing to purchase a new washer and dryer.  Jon and I cruised the Lowes store here in Lexington and he picked an energy efficient set.  While I was dubious, I must admit that while they use less water and electric, they do an absolutely awesome job.

Our only real issue has been the kitchen trash.  We tried the under-the-cabinet route and hated it.  So I have a trashcan in the dining room now.  Less than perfect but we will work on that one as time goes.

Now to try and find an entertainment unit that can do double duty and house most of our books.  A challenge to be certain.

What do you want to bet I end up on Amazon and having to put it together as well?

because apparently less is more doesn't apply to the best of the best books that we couldn't leave --- which equal 9 stacks about 5 foot high in the guest bedroom.  Who knew I had 3 copies of In Cold Blood?  Who knew how hard it would be to choose which of the 3 copies I would take?

A goodbye to our old home

I flew back Thursday night to pick up the Jeep, drop off the keys, and drive the jeep back to Lexington.  Harold wouldn't let me say goodbye without one final photo - yes that's my Harold.

It was an awesome house for the time.  As Jon's Parkinson's progressed, the very things we loved:  the huge windows in the stairway, the stepdown living room, etc proved problematic.  It was time.  It was time to say goodbye and hope my lovely realtor can shortsell the home for us.  I hope another family finds it as lovely warm and opening space as we did.

Speaking of said realtor - she was able to make a great trip to Paris so I didn't get to see her.  I was a wee bit jealous then I remembered just how much I hate traveling.  The trip to get the jeep cemented that.

I worked all day Thursday then drove to the airport (a scant 15 minute drive).  I had to fly to SC to get to DC - sadly you cannot fly out of Lexington to BWI - my airport of choice.

By the second flight I just wanted to be back somewhere where I could lay down.  That was before the cab ride out of DC - a very pricey ride but well worth it for one who refuses to drive in that maze of messed up roads and confused drivers.

We finally got to Laurel to Em's house to pick up the jeep (where she had graciously been keeping it for me).  She also graciously offered to let me stay at her house as she is out of town on a cruise.  I opened the door and immediately her BatCat came running thinking I was Mama.  Then every noise I made here he'd come wanting her.  He was so upset that I left the key, locked the door, and drove to find a motel room.  Poor kitty.

Then the next morning came the 9 hour drive.  Well it was supposed to be 9 hours.  However I had storm fronts near the entire way which not only slowed me down but blew my gas mileage completely out the window.  Then on I68 in WV there was an accident that shut down both sides of the interstate.  I started to grumble then heard up the line that lifewatch had been called in.  Here I was in a reasonably comfy vehicle, ac, enough money to get a hotel room if I was running too late and thinking of myself instead of the poor people who were in the accident.  Harold slapped my hand but good over that one.

After about an hour we were back on the road only to run into thunderstorms most of the rest of the way.

Did I mention I really hate traveling?

By the time I got home I was so sore and so tired all I could think of was pizza and bed.  But that would have been rude to the happy welcoming committee that all wanted me to reassure them I wouldn't leave again.  From cats to bird to Jon they hovered and followed ... I think they miss me.

Home is definitely where the heart is.  My heart is here with my loving husband and affectionate creatures.  While I often long to explore, I believe I'll leave my exploring to short trips and via the internets.

I took the photo above on Thursday.  Somehow - to me - the place looks sad without us.  however my heart is truly in Lexington now.

I haz a kitty porch

One of the things I was concerned about with the new apartment was the lack of fenced backyard space for the cats to lay in the sun, watch the birds, and generally play.  While it's a concrete porch, the cats certainly enjoy the sunshine - as you can see from Sebastian.

When we went to look at apartments and did the tour, Jon chose the one that was available earliest.  It was a good choice.  We're closer to the mailboxes, closer to the pool, and being in the back part of the community means fewer school age kids.  They prefer to be closer to the front part for the bus stop.

Bonus?  ours has a double entranceway.  The first door doesn't lock for obvious reasons (you can reach over the railing and open it) but it opens onto this little patio walkway that is perfect for the cats.

Now I just need to get them some greenery and such and make it a comfy - safe - place for them to play.

Essie likes it too - just doesn't like her photo snapped obviously - or maybe she just wants the camera?

No she's not angry - just being her goofy self but look at them paws eh?

So the kitties are happy, the bird is being the bird, and Jon is happy.  I'd call this choice a win-win.

Lexington? how did we get here?

Off to a new journey - that of a re-transplanted flatlander.

As you know I've lived in Virginia, Oklahoma, Kansas, Louisiana, Washington State, and now Kentucky.  The work path, Parkinson's path, and other forces converged to where Jon and I (and of course Harold) relocated for work....to Lexington KY.

A state in which I've never lived and only rode through when I was very young when Mom decided to leave Virginia for Kansas.

We also went from being homeowners to apartment dwellers - yet another change.  The Parkinsons has gotten to the point that stairs became problematic for Jon.  So now the only sort of 'step' we have is the curb.  This is a good thing.

We also live within minutes - less than 5 mostly - from most things we need.  This gets him out and about more.  He is loving the Krogers that is literally about 2 minutes from the apartment.

How did this all come about?  Well during Harold's silence (Citalopram - forgot the brand name - tends to stifle the muse so he was in hiding), I took a job in Rockville.  That company was purchased by the company where I now work.  My new supervisor wanted me in Lexington, Jon and I spoke about it, and decided it was Thundercats GO.  No we didn't consult the cats.  Or the bird.  Actually she's very lucky I didn't rehome her - I almost did.  However things converged and the community where we had the most interest allows birds not counted as a pet.  Therefore we could keep both cats and the bird.

Harold however is itching for the camera.  Everything here is so green.  Everything here is so ... pastorale for lack of a better spelled word.  Actually he has been fascinated with the changing light on the trees out on our front porch - the photo above.

Just wait til I take him on the walking trails.  I'm hoping Jon can join us - with Parkinsons it's not one day at a time but literally one hour at a time -- as we found out at Target on Saturday when his body rebelled without warning or reason.

One day at a time.  One hour at a time.  One minute at a time.  Tough for a consummate planner such as myself.

However, as Harold often reminds me - I adapt.  I may kick and scream but I will adapt.

...and yes so will my muse.  He's already eyeing the canine traffic out the back patio .......

The photo above was taken from my front porch a few days ago.  It really is beautiful and quiet here.

I have been being lax.  Such delightful places, such interesting photos, and no I've not posted them.

Ooooooops.

So the newest places I've taken Harold in the last year is the Crime and Punishment Museum with a good friend Em, who turned me on to Free Museum Day.

We also did the NewSeum but for those who know Harold, it was Ted Bundy's car he wanted to see - ok to photograph.  *I* wanted to see it.

The photo doesn't do it justice.  You can nearly feel the evil radiating from the car.  It was amazing - and scary - and something you have to experience to fully understand.  

We went a while - heck a few years in fact - without going many new places.  I had to get used to life as it had become.  I had to internalize it as it were.  Harold was always right there with me reminding me that life is always to be celebrated.  For a while I ignored him - much easier to wallow in my own self pity.  Then I started seeing the beauty again.

This year - for the first time in what?  3 years?  - I will be doing the Cherry Blossoms.  For those who have followed my photos here and there you know the Cherry Blossoms were - and are - something very special to me.  It will be nice to be back.  Thanks again to the delightful Em who refuses to let me be a hermit - even when I work really hard at it.

Photos coming  :)  for now, let me see if I can still do a slide show of the Museum of Crime and Punishment in DC.  While not free, it is DEFINITELY worth the price.  America's Most Wanted is filmed in the basement and there is an electric chair that I would have bribed someone just to touch.

Caveat - not handicap accessible.  :(  But on the ground floor is Ted Bundy's infamous VW Beetle.  A sight to see just for itself.

Til later my friends.

DC Crime and Punishment Museum - slideshow

2013 - a new year - a new beginning

ok I was kidding about the new beginning except I miss taking photos.  I've bemoaned the last couple of years that Harold hasn't had his camera in hand but a rare few times --- and sadly those have been photos of other people and while fabulous (IMHO) I respect their privacy.

In fact I have one of the best photos of a very good friend that I've EVER taken.

The scales of time - they tend to balance when we're not looking.  For the longest time, Jon was the driving force in our marriage here in Maryland.  He had the great job, the confidence, the power if you will.  Now he is disabled.  While a great many men would bemoan the circumstance and quite probably take it out on their partner, he doesn't.  He throws his skills, his experiences, his drive, behind ME.

IKR?

brb - Parkinsons' ugly head - he's standing on his pants and in a bit of a quandry.

ok I'm back.  Crisis averted.

I found this year for the first time being off Christmas Eve AND Christmas Day and New Years Eve AND New Years Day. While yes I did work part of those days from home - WOW - I didn't have to go to work.

....and that leads to the photo above from the Snowpocalypse.  Not only would I not have to work if that situation arose again, I would not be punished for NOT working.

Jon kept saying if I paid my dues, paid it forward as it were, then good things would happen.

As usual, I think he's right.

though I wouldn't let him know that ;)

Why am I awake before 5 a.m. on a Saturday??

...or in this case awake just before 3 a.m.?

While I'm a long time sufferer of stress induced insomnia, this isn't that.  How do I know?  Well because I'm going for my first manicure in over 5 years.

I'll wait while you try to see where that's going.  No it's ok - I need another cup of coffee.

....

give up?  HA  As some of you are aware, I'm a twice quit smoker, stress eater, stress insomniac, and perhaps don't know but habitual nail biter.  That is unless things are going smoothly.  Well I will still be twice quit on the smoking with hopefully the brains not to try and resurrect my long love affair with nicotine.

Amazing how much stress can be relieved by a simple job change.  Amazing how you learn to cope as the pressure increases and increases until you almost get used to it.  The atmosphere of anger and dissidence becomes - if not tolerable then the norm rather than the exception.  The daily hate spewed talk radio blaring from across the hall becomes oh so much background noise for the stress and angst and anger fueled conversations.

So - the photo above is from Virginia Beach this year back in June.  I see this photo and I want to think "it was a dark and stormy night" but things are sometimes not what they appear.  It was dark.  It was stormy.  It was mid-morning and the last of the windy weather front was finally dissipating.

May we all find blue skies ahead during these dark and stormy times.

Good Morning Sunshine

Yeah and HI y'all

So the 2nd week on new job:  good and not good/pleasure pain/ you know the drill ... what do you expect from an ambidextrous confused individual such as myself?

In this case my confusion has merit.  I'm working for a security company.  Yay - I like security.  Security is good.  Things secure - zero problemos with da Stephanie.

WTF?  you  mean GUNS?  HANDGUNS?

Zero problemos went straight to OMG what? in 6 seconds flat

7 seconds if you're the east german judge


It's tough.  As you may or may not know, I abhor handguns.  They're just too easy to get out of a persons control and then boom the wrong person has it, be a child or a perpetrator or OMG honey was that you coming up the stairs -- too bad I really didn't mean to like shoot and kill you ya know.

A friend of mine reminded me that better trained security than the Barney Fife School of Deputy-ship.

Oh well.  I shall see if this is a hurdle I can overcome.  I think it is simply because my issue always has been the ease of purchase of handguns and of course the the ease of concealment (where concealed carry is legal) and the idiots that leave it on the end table for their kid to find.  I would hope and pray that the persons we employ who are armed are smarter than that.

I will hope and pray.  Because if they're not -- well then my hope for the human race in regards to firearms just took a giant dunk in the toiliet.

and not in a Will Smith "flushed" sorta way.


fwiw - photo above - while looking like a sunset is actually a sunrise at virginia beach - just after I accepted the employment agreement for the place where I currently work.

Places you never thought you'd find yourself

The last few weeks have been something else alllll together.  Last we left our intrepid heroine, we were making room for change.  Apparently we did such a good job it was changes.

and then some.

I'm certain you will recognize the Virginia Beach view from the photo.  We had planned a Wednesday - Saturday mini-vacay end of June.  However, I was contacted by a security company who wanted to interview me so I figured oh well we'll just leave a little later on Wednesday and I'll squeeze that interview in first.

HA.  After 3 hours, they offered me the job and I agreed to start 2 weeks after the following Monday.  That meant we left for Va Beach a bit later and of course that was alllll we talked about on the way down but it did give us 3 days to make plans and such.  As you can see from the photo, it was a stormy windy vacation. Still the ocean doesn't close for wind or rain.

I now find myself doing payroll and general accounting for a union based security firm.  That is definitely not something I ever anticipated.  I find myself driving the beltway to get to work - another thing I thought I would never do again.  Instead of the relaxed atmosphere of my prior employment, I am not in a place that does not even recognize dress down Friday nor are jeans allowed.

However it's room to grow and learn and Jon bless him is sooooo proud.  Also the insurance, while still quite expensive, is a better plan that what I had before.

My darling husband.  Make room for it and it will happen.  Perhaps I need to ask him how to make room for a winning lottery ticket.  Do you give it its own room?  :)

photo taken June 2012 Virginia Beach, VA

Retail Therapy or Planning ahead

...you decide.

I will say this for Jon.  He LOVES to shop - probably more than any man I've ever been with.  He also has good taste.  So since Saturday was a good day for him, off to Lane Bryant we went.

It was cute.  One of the store employees got such a kick out of Jon bringing me this or adding that or sometimes just putting something on top of the stack so that I didn't find it until we checked out.  He was in the scarves.  He was in the jewelry.  I had to run him out of the shoes - smallest size they carry is an 8 and I wear a 6.  He picked skirts and tops and fun things and work things and bangles and baubles. 

Then today we hit payless (disappointing I must say) but of course he ferretted out a pair of shoes that while they weren't what I went in for, were probably the best choice for my long skirts.

Retail therapy?  it always makes me happy to have new clothes and I hadn't went shopping in a long time.  However, Jon said that since I had at least one interview next week (with a possible 2nd one), I should have the tools I need going in.

No I won't wear the maxi skirts and cardigans to interviews:  I have a suit for that (and a lovely scarf as well) but these are For Later.

:)

Sometimes it really is the little things

Like unexpectedly having a guest show up in a photo.  That was taken the last time we were at Virginia Beach.  Barring any large issues or catastrophes, we shall be back next week for a few days.

I've bemoaned to all who will listen that I never get an entire week off.  In the end, that might be a good thing -- for Jon.  I don't know how he'd handle being away from home for an entire week.  He seems ok with our 4 day mini vacation though.  I promised him that if he chose he could just stay in the hotel room and sit on the balcony.  *I* - however - have plans to play in the pool (memo to me - check to make certain their pool is still up and functional), walk on the beach, and take tons of photos.

We have also considered doing small trips to places I've not been like Philadelphia and Gettysburg.  Of course Em you'd be invited if you chose to schlep along with us.  I'm still wanting to do a trip to Salem MA at some point but that will take some major planning.

For now, it's the little things:  4 days and 3 nights.  Who cares if the weather prevails or not.

It's not like they close the beach for rain ....................

Finding the love ......

One of the wicked uglies of Parkinsons is the way the body deals with synthetic LDopa in relation to the protein consumed.  Further adding to the raving uglies is *what* protein needs to be considered, not just how much.

We discovered that Jon doesn't deal well with proteins from red meat.  Pork is becoming an issue as well.  Enter the salmon.

not to be confused with Enter the Dragon.....

Not a big fan.  I love tuna and tilapia and rockfish and cod and tons of others but salmon always was blech nasty.  I've discovered that meant it was over cooked.  So now I embark on a new cuisine - learning to cook fish and embrace a more mediterranean cuisine.

At least it's healthy.  We have a new grill so I foresee many hours of instruction learning to grill things I never tried before.  The one bonus (ok there are two) is that it involves Jon as he has to help me being a novice with fish, and the second I guess is its healthy?

We broke down and purchased an electric mower for the back yard.  I can't swing a weedeater (well not the big one we have) and Jon can't anymore so we went the logical route.  I also foresee more time lazing about in the yard watching the critters.

....but I do not intend on offering salmon to even the most industrious and inventive of our feathered friends....

not unless they ask nicely ;)

Photo above is from one of my recipe sites.