Thursday Thirteen June 19th

Since so much has been going on, I will do an honest Thursday Thirteen.

  1. I was due to have surgery on my left eye on Monday. It was postponed. Here’s why.
  2. On Thursday, Heidi got sick. She was limping and not acting like herself, which made me worry. This was difficult because I still had double vision.
  3. On Thursday, I prayed that God would restore my vision enough to allow me to drive.
  4. Then Heidi and I sat down to watch some TV. I think the show had been on for about half an hour, and suddenly my double vision was gone!
  5. I think of all the prayers for chocolate candy bars that never were fulfilled as a child. And God granted me my vision, the one time I truly prayed for something outside myself.
  6. I twisted and turned and did everything but stand on my head. I was shocked. It was fixed!
  7. A miracle had occurred. The only exception was that the pressure began to rise in the left eye, but eye drops and tablets brought it down.
  8. The surgery has been postponed. We’re trying to get the surgical notes from Tufts. I learned today that all medical records are kept offshore without the patient’s consent. My advice to one and all is to start collecting your medical files.
  9. Heidi is a bit better, although she is still not running around.
  10. Then there was the fox. He arrived in the night, and when I got up and passed the window, he was sleeping in my driveway.20250618_061138
  11. I saw him at 4:30 AM, as he lounged away on the driveway until noon.
  12. My weekend will be a quiet one. I need sleep, rest, and the ability to do laundry.
  13. So, I wish you all a very happy weekend! I hope the weather is good and your spirit is filled with happiness, no matter where you are.

Father’s Day ~ The Men In My Life

Here are the five men who shaped my life. In their own ways, they were my father or a father figure to me. They have all passed from this life to the next, but their memory and the love they gave me live on in my heart.

My dad was an amazingly talented musician who passed along his love of music to me. Dad was devoted to our community and played the organ at both the Congregational Church and the Catholic Church in North Falmouth.

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He was the Music Director at Highfield Theater for many years. He was also a summer police officer in our town. And when we went to local parks for cookouts, Dad was the burger meister! He has been gone a long time now, but I still think of him often and miss his wry sense of humor.

My Uncle George was the father who taught me everything growing up: how to swim, dive, bowl, hike, play cards, and love unconditionally.

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When I was about 5 years old, I cut my toe badly at Surf Drive Beach, and he carried me all the way home—and helped Mom drive me to the doctor’s office for stitches. He was not a loud man, but in his quiet, loving way, I knew I was one of his special kids.

img098Uncle George and I were at my wedding with Jack.

When Jack and I married, Uncle George walked me down the aisle. I miss this sweet, loving, wonderful man!

My Uncle Bob was fun to be with, but he also required that I act like a mini-adult. That was fine. I adored him and just wanted to spend quiet time with him.

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I did a lot of things with him and his wife, Aunt Cynthia. I remember being on his boat, or when they took me to their Quincy home and museums. And I recall my Uncle once getting a monkey. It was cute, but it didn’t last for long.

My Papa Fred was another quiet man. He was quite old when I lived with him and Grandma, but he showed me something important.

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What real love between a man and a woman is all about. I would watch Papa and Grandma sitting on their sofa watching Lawrence Welk. Papa would hold Grandma’s feet in his lap and stroke them gently. He adored Grandma all his life. He no longer had the will to live when she died, and passed eight months later.

My Papa Sam, my Dad’s Dad. I didn’t know him as well, but I remember him taking me to the Prudential Building in the summer to listen to the Barbershop Quartets sing.

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I remember sitting on his lap and listening to him sing along. He had such a beautiful voice.

These 5 men helped to shape the woman I grew up to become. Each is special in their own way, and now, each is greatly missed.

Happy Father’s Day! I remember you all with love and many memories that make me smile!

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Kathleen Alynne

11/8/78 – 6/19/85

I had a lovely daughter, named Kathleen “Katie” Alynne. She was my youngest daughter and quite amazing. She was six and a half years old when she died after a car accident that occurred on June 13th.  She lived until June 19th, but she never regained consciousness after the paramedics pulled her from the car. So in my mind and my heart, the 13th is the day that she left us.

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People have wondered and said to me that after 40 years, I should be over losing her. What I know is, you never get over losing a child. But you learn to go on and to make a new life for yourself. But on days like today, I like to remind everyone that once long ago, a beautiful little girl named Katie lived!

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This is so beautiful. I was crying by the second line. Henry Scott Holland (27 January 1847 – 17 March 1918) was Regius Professor of Divinity at the University of Oxford.

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Katie 2A few years ago, an old friend was sorting through his pictures when he found this one of Katie. I’d never seen it before, and it was such a wonderful gift!

Most days, I do well. I don’t dwell, and I can look at her lovely face in pictures and smile. Then there are days that it hits me all over again, and I am overwhelmed by grief. I don’t stay there long. Katie wouldn’t want that.

I miss you each day, Katie.

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And The Eye Has It…

Last Saturday night, after slaving over a hot crockpot for 8 hours I  served up a delicious meal. All was  going well when I noticed blurry vision in my left eye.

I refused to overreact,  believing it was the cooking that had caused this. I decided to sleep on it and allow my body to reboot.

Yeah, like that was going to fix anything!

On Sunday I went to the Emergency Room. All I knew was to see an Ophthalmologist first thing on Monday.

Which I did, only to discover my intraoccular lens had folded in half like a taco!

I will see the special surgeon today. My corrective surgery will be on Monday.

I asked how common this problem is in the world of cataract-land lenses. I was told it is a highly unique problem.

Ah, but of course it is, which is why I have it!

And Just Like That…

People have often told me that I have the weirdest things happen to me. I tend to agree, as many of the things that have happened to me (healthwise) are beyond what most people would see in their lifetime.

Over the weekend, I started having double vision in my left eye. This was odd, as it came on suddenly. I am always sensitive about my eyes because I have not only had cataracts removed from both eyes but also surgery to reattach the retinas in both eyes. So on Saturday, I was quite frantic when the vision in my left eye became too distorted.

The retinal surgeon who had performed all of my surgeries on my retina has returned to my area. I got a quick appointment on Monday to see him, fearing another retinal detachment.

You can call me surprised when they discovered that the implanted lens from my cataract surgery had folded in half. This has caused all the visual problems.

Now I will be facing surgery to replace the lens.

An implanted intraocular lens (IOL) can be replaced if it dislocates or folds over. This is a rare but manageable situation, often requiring a secondary surgical procedure called an IOL exchange.

  • Lens Folding:

    Sometimes, the IOL itself may fold or wrinkle, affecting vision. 

  • Causes:

    Dislocation can be caused by factors during the original surgery, trauma to the eye, or diseases affecting the eye’s structures. 

  • If the lens is dislocated or severely damaged, it can be surgically removed and replaced with a new one. 

  • Prompt Treatment:
    It’s crucial to seek immediate medical attention if you suspect any issues with your IOL, as untreated dislocation can lead to vision loss and other complications.

     

    So, now I need to get the surgery lined up and all planned. The Puppy Nanny is set up to care for Heidi and will stay with me if necessary. But getting from New Hampshire to Boston concerns me the most.

    If all of this isn’t enough, I got a call. Yes, folks, today they will start digging up my driveway!

    Life was settling into a routine, and just like that…everything changed!

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And Just Like That…

I am constantly amazed at how quickly time flies by us. With my enforced slowdown, due to the vertigo, I sit, and it’s like being in a tornado in The Wizard of Oz. Everything is spinning around me. (No pun intended with the vertigo!)

We have had a lot of rain, wind, and cold. However, we expect warmer and drier weather this week. It’s June, after all!

Now, back to my reflections on Life.

Two years ago, I bought a new phone, a Galaxy S23. At first, it seemed incredible. But within a month, I knew this phone was a mistake!

Fast-forward to 2025. During Memorial Day Weekend, my Galaxy 23 received an update that wreaked havoc on the phone. I walked into Verizon, and I was not happy about the phone.

They were very kind, and once they looked up my phone, they found that I was suitable for an upgrade! I have used Samsung forever, but I was so unhappy that I thought perhaps I would switch to an Apple. But after looking at the new Samsung S25 Ultra and the newest Apple, I decided to stay with the Galaxy.

10579dcb-9c4b-4bc9-a231-fd741a3611ecThe guys were invaluable in moving my things from one phone to another and teaching me how to download my files onto my laptop. I took all the games off the phone, and now it is pristine!

I was sitting here this morning when Heidi came up and sat down. I immediately smelled something. I checked her left ear. That was fine. But when I flipped her right ear… eww! She has a yeasty ear!

Lili got one a year before she died, and they tried a new FDA medication. It worked wonders for a dog who had long suffered from the problem.

Betamethasone acetate is a glucocorticosteroid with anti-inflammatory activity.
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The otic gel dissolves in earwax and is slowly eliminated from the ear. It also fights yeast infections for up to 45 days. I will call and get her in tomorrow.

During my vertigo (it’s been over two months now), Heidi has been the very best thing that could have happened to me. What a sweet, faithful dog. Just by being with me each day, she puts a smile on my face.

Heidi’s breeder sure knows how to raise the sweetest pups. Heidi is among the best dogs I have ever had.

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Happy Birthday, Savannah!

Today, my sweet Savannah Rose turns 13! Wow, I can’t believe how quickly she has grown and changed. I can’t believe how quickly the last 13 years have gone, and in many ways, I feel like I have always known Savi as if she has always been a part of my world.

May31 12 002I’m holding Savi the day she was born!

As she has grown and changed, I have marveled at her kindness, gentleness, and caring nature, and Matt and Mandy have done an excellent job as her parents.

2024-05-27-08-28-01-716Happy Birthday, my darling Savannah!

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Happiness

Many things have been happening in the last few weeks, keeping me on my toes. I’m still slightly wobbly, but I’m going forward nonetheless.

My daughter gets the award for going above and beyond. Savi was in a musical play in Derry. Right now, I am not driving too far. The vertigo won’t allow it.

485844556_10237054559605349_8262007796461427939_nMandy and Savi!

So Amanda drove from Windham, NH, to Meredith, NH, and picked me up. Then we went to Derry for the play, and afterward she drove me home again. It was a long day and a lot of driving for my girl, but it was worth it. Savi was great, and I really enjoyed the entire day!

Messenger_creation_F1359196-43FF-4097-9EB8-65F8854E4D0BSavi and her Oma!

Not only did I see Savi, but I got to see Quinn and their three dogs.

492137991_10237519611311351_5101757777316505700_nQuinn!

I’ve been doing PT for my vertigo. It hasn’t done much, but since the MRI was good, I must wait until I can see an Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialist.

My sister and brother-in-law came up, and we worked on clearing the house again. We are close to being done, but I need to work on my closets, which have become slightly disorganized. (Melodie, do not tell Ron!)

My cousins, Janet and Dave, came up on Saturday, and we went to T-Bones for dinner. We all had a great meal. I love it there! Janet had a fusion salad. Dave had wings and ribs. I asked if I could get warm plain lobster served with butter. It was spectacular!

After that, we saw Juston McInney at the Colonial Theater in Laconia. He is a New England boy, and he was wicked funny. His routine was all about the stuff we think about and that happens. He is a nice guy.

0b42a1f8-fb6e-4053-83af-5798e33a76f5The next morning, we dropped Heidi off with her groomer, Madison, and had breakfast at George’s. Needless to say, when Heidi returned, she was beautiful!

499887385_10163278021976499_4901003248829408629_nAfter weeks of rain and cloudy skies, we finally have sunshine! It is also supposed to be over 70 degrees today!

After watching my driveway deteriorate this spring, I have signed a contract to have the entire thing redone. After 25 years, it is time!

2025-05-19-11-28-57-759Boulders are coming up.

2025-05-19-11-33-40-726My very own San Andreas Fault!

After all, this is the Granite State! Life goes on.

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Happy Birthday, Jessica! See You Soon, Savi!

Today is my British daughter’s birthday. I spent time with her last year and hope to return soon. Happy Birthday, Jessica!

2024-05-24-14-23-18-910Jessica and I.

But today, my daughter, Amanda, is going above and beyond, so I can see Savannah in her community play.

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Since I am not driving these days, she is driving up from Windham, NH, picking me up here in Meredith, NH, driving me down to see the play, and then driving me home. It’s a lot of work for her, and I cannot express how grateful I am that she is doing this.

I can hardly wait!

 

The Weekend Wrap

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I’ve been relatively quiet recently. I had hoped to have answers to all my questions, but so far, there are more questions than answers.

It all began over six weeks ago. I got up in the night, and my head was spinning. I managed to return to bed, but there was a terrible feeling like the world was spinning.

I have had brief episodes of Vertigo before and expected the feeling to disappear. But it did not.

I went to the doctor and we tried several medications, but nothing worked. Later this week, I’ll go to the Physical Therapist for an evaluation, and next week, an MRI.

I’m trying to stay positive, but being as wobbly as I am is a little tricky.

Meanwhile…

My four-year-old laptop started to fall apart—literally. The frame split. The upside was that I had a laptop that just needed the hard drive wiped and reprogrammed. Since I had plenty of time and reprogramming was something I could do sitting down, I went to work.

I never thought I could do the entire thing, but I did. The laptop is programmed, the email is working, and I even got the lighted keyboard working.

Although I am challenged in some ways, I have gotten a lot done, so it’s almost all good.

2022-06-09_02-26-22Oh yes. God bless Heidi. She has taken such good care of me.