Category: Friday Five

I am home again after my trip to New Jersey. I had the very best time. I am sure many people wouldn’t think of New Jersey as a vacation destination, but I am here to tell you that New Jersey in the Spring is simply beautiful. So, here is my Friday Five.

1. 1. I drove to Concord, New Hampshire, on Friday last week. I was able to find a parking spot despite it being the start of Spring vacation for many colleges. I have never seen the lot this full!
   2. The bus arrived on schedule at Logan Airport, and despite the problems with the  TSA, with my TSA Precheck, I sailed through in exactly 12 minutes! I had time to kill and had lunch before my departure.I took a Delta Connection flight and was pleasantly surprised to find no turbulence at all. We were slightly late getting to Newark, and so Air Traffic Control vectored us around, giving me splendid views of New York City. It was then that the fun began.
   3. My son picked me up at the airport, and we drove back to their place. That night Jon cooked dinner (fabulous pork chops!), and Jon, Jose, and I started in on “Wicked” part one.If you haven’t seen it, then set aside time for both parts one and two. It is a fantastic movie with beautiful music. I would not recommend it for young children. But it is certainly fine for teenagers.
   4. On Sunday, we went to the local Catholic Church for Easter Mass.I loved the liturgy, the music, and the feeling one gets during such a joyful celebration.
   5. The very best was after church. We had wonderful lasagna for dinner made by Jose, and then we piled into the car and drove to Broadway. They’d gotten tickets to see “Titanique”.
      https://www.broadway.com/buzz/206818/inside-titaniques-broadway-transfer-bigger-bolder-and-still-deliciously-camp/

It was a splendid musical, a spoof of the movie Titanic. The casting was terrific, and the play sped by. Before I knew it, we were standing, clapping, and the play was over. I encourage everyone, if you have a chance, to go see a play on Broadway, do it! It’s unlike any other experience!

Monday was recovery day, and on Tuesday, I packed up my bags and headed home. I was sad to leave my sons, but happy that we’d had such a wonderful visit.

Another week has gone by, and here we are, the last Friday of March. I think that 2026 will fly by. It seems the older I get, the faster time goes by. So without further ado, here is this week’s Friday Five.

1. We’re at the point in the year where, although snow may fall, the sun’s angle and the gradual warming of the ground mean the snow will melt quickly.Such was the case the past week. We had snow one day, and now, a few days later, it’s pretty much gone.
2. My taxes are done, filed, and Uncle Sam has already cashed my check. Another year is in the books.
3. A week from today, I will be heading to my two sons’ home for Easter. I am really looking forward to this time. It is my hope that the government will stop ignoring the TSA, pay these people, and get our airports up and running again. I am happy that Delta has suspended its special program for the Senate and Congress, under which they receive special treatment on its planes. Let them stand in lines that are five hours long!
4. After writing a book of short family stories a few years ago, I am back to writing the second one. The books contain my memories and the pictures that go with them.
5. I have been including recipes as well and pictures of the finished product. These books will be a little bit of me to leave behind for my grandchildren.

Well, that’s it for this week. Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the beautiful Springtime!

It was another snowy week in New Hampshire. This week, we actually got most of the snow, although it was certainly unlike the blizzards nearby recently. So here goes this week’s Friday Five.

1. 1. At the start of the week, I went in search of a push shovel. I just needed something to provide a short path for my vertically challenged friend, Heidi.
   2. The shovel does alright, as long as you don’t have deep snow. I make 1-2 passes and then let her out. There I am in my hat, coat, boots, gloves, and pajamas! Ha!
      
   3. Moulton’s Farm opened yesterday! Yay! I stopped in and picked up a few things. They are my go-to place for fresh fruit and vegetables in the summer!
   4. I’m going to my sister’s house for a few days. The puppy Nanny is moving in to care for Heidi. Am I the only one who has a Nanny for the pup?
   5. I made an appointment with H&R Block to do my taxes when I get back. Oh, how I hate tax season!

I’ve been thinking about writing this post since the start of the week. What delayed my writing was that I simply wasn’t sure where to start. It came to me this afternoon, so here goes.

1. Last summer, while innocently watching TV, I suddenly noticed that I had double vision in my left eye. After seeing several doctors, I was finally referred to a true specialist who handles problems with intraocular lenses. An intraocular lens is what they put into your eye during cataract surgery. The doctor would operate, remove the old lens, and replace it with a new one. Surgery was scheduled, and my cousin, Janet, was there to stay with me at the hotel next door. The next day, she would drive me home, and all would be well.
2. When he opened the eye to retrieve the folded lens, he found so much scar tissue that he could not remove it. Since removal was not possible, he was able to unfold it and tack down the edges.
   

   When we spoke in the recovery room, I could tell he was not pleased. However, under the circumstances, we all crossed our fingers that all would be well.

3. Janet and I went to the hotel, rested, watched some TV, and had a takeout supper. I was tired and fell asleep, but woke in the night when I felt dampness on my face. I got up and went to look at the bathroom mirror, where I could see blood coming down my cheek. I tried not to panic, but when I saw him the next morning, and the packing was removed from my eye, I could not see anything in it. Everyone in the office didn’t quite know what to say. My doctor looked into my eye and told me I’d had an intraocular bleed. I was put on 5 different eye drops, every four hours, and also given medication (a pill) to bring the pressure down. He told me that we needed to give it time. He didn’t want to open the eye again to drain it, if he could help it.
4. The days went by, and then the weeks. I would wake in the morning, open my eyes, and hope that somehow the sight had returned. It didn’t. I wondered if my vision would ever return. About the time I had given up all hope (October), I woke up and could see. Not well, but the blood had drained from my eye. I remained on a lot of eye drops, but with each passing day, things were getting better.
5. In January 2026, I went in to see my Optometrist. Yes, the left eye’s vision was very poor. About 20/200. But with time, he was able to get that eye to 20/40. I selected new glasses frames and off I went. They came in, and I went down to pick them up. I put them on, and it felt like the first time I got glasses back in seventh grade! I could see leaves, twigs, and absolutely everything! I am grateful for so much!

Me with my new glasses!

I’ve been lazy the last few weeks; thus, no Friday Five. However I actually have things to write about so here goes…

1. The last few days have been warmer and sunnier! Talk about a real moral boost! Here we are in the middle of February, and the world is not as dark and dreary at is was a month ago. Maybe that rotten groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, was wrong!
2. Miss Heidi had her yearly exam. She is nearly perfect in every way, but her Luxating Patellas have gotten worse, and she will need the first surgery in April, and the second is set for August. She is maintaining her slim figure, which will benefit her recovery.
3. We have had so much snow that I hired a man to come with his mini-tractor to push it back, making more room for another snowfall. I also had another man snowblow a good path for Heidi to use.
4. I went to the Optician today to be tested and fit for new glasses. My right eye has held up pretty well, doing all the work for both eyes, but my left eye has lost a lot of vision. It was 20/200 before he started fitting the new prescription, and even then, the letters were fuzzy and shadowy. I knew my vision in the left eye was bad, but I had no idea it was this bad.
5. So I ordered two pairs of glasses, one for wearing and one for driving (sunglasses). The fact is, I need to wear my glasses all the time now. However, I remind myself that at least I have vision. Last summer, when I was blind in my left eye, it was a very scary time for me. My vision may not be perfect, but at least it’s usable.

So that’s it for this week. I hope you are all happy, healthy, and staying warm.

My week has been a whacky one. Between snowstorms and cell phones, I’ve been finding my days slipping by. In any case, here is this week’s Friday Five.

1. Heidi’s new puffer jackets arrived. The other two shrunk when they got wet, so my poor baby only had half of her body covered.

   I bought the next size up, and she really loves this!

2. I sat down, paid my bills, and took a deep breath. The repair of my furnace and the need to get oil done in the space of four weeks made my Amex card go tilt.
3. I have a home system that I needed to download on my phone. I had it working, but couldn’t get into the dashboard because I forgot the password, and I stewed about it for 24 hours. Then I woke up in the morning and had an idea. I raced to enter the password into my phone. And it worked! Once done, I quickly wrote everything down!
4. We had some warm weather today, which helped melt the snow and ice on the patio. Much easier for Heidi to go out.
5. Lastly, this week I found out that several of Jack’s and my friends have passed away. These are mostly people in their 80s. A dear friend of mine who served with Jack in the Army and also as a Pan Am pilot sat me down and told me to think long and hard about marrying someone so much older. (20 plus years) In a kind way, he wanted to prepare me for the day when they were all gone, and I would be alone. I was twenty-nine at the time and thought I had all the time in the world to enjoy Jack and our friends. Life goes by quickly, my friends.

So, here I sit with my Heidi, now my Emotional Support Doggy. She truly is my little love-baby!

Welcome to a new year! 2026! If last year proved anything, it was how quickly a year can rush past us. So, as Heidi and I drove around a bit today to look at the recent snowfall and icing, I couldn’t help but think that I am ready for spring! To start this year’s Friday Five, here we go!

1. I know I have mentioned that I had one more closet to clear out in 2025. I filled up crates with all the shelf and floor stuff and brought it out to the family room. While watching TV, I have gone through everything, and by tomorrow, I will begin arranging the shelves in my two closets. Finally, this will be done!
2. This is a special time of year for me. Four years ago, I flew to Nashville and then drove up to pick up Heidi.

   She was such a little snuggler, even from the start

   Our first night together at the hotel.

   I remember holding her for the first time. I am so grateful that I found this girl. What a loving companion she is for me.

3. The year has started with a fair amount of snow and ice. Yes, it is pretty, but with it comes the bills for heating oil and snow plowing. Ah well.
4. Next week I’m going to an Optician for an eye exam and to order new glasses. Oddly enough, the idea of getting new glasses is something I am looking forward to.
5. Today, I will enjoy the beauty all around me. How fortunate Heidi and I are to live amongst such beauty, even if it is cold!

Happy New Year!

Can you believe it? Here we are, in December, the last month of 2025! I am sure many of you will agree: 2025 has gone awfully fast!  This past week was going to be a busy one, so I decided to call the “Puppy Nanny” to care for Heidi and go to Salem and stay for a few days, as my events were all in that area.

1. I was invited to my cousin’s 70th birthday bash last weekend. Dave is the kindest man in the entire world. He is married to my cousin, Janet, who grew up with me and is very much like a sister.We all love Dave dearly. Left to right, my cousin, Larry, brother-in-law, Ron, the birthday boy, Dave, Melodie, me, Janet, and Traci. The party was so much fun, and I got to see so many people I hadn’t seen in a very long time, as well as my sister, Melodie, and my brother-in-law, Ron.
2. The next day I was free, so Janet picked me up at the hotel I stay at when I am in Salem, New Hampshire, and we hit the Mall. It dawned on me that aside from the small Outlet Mall near me, it was the first time I had been in a real Mall in ten years.

   It felt good to walk around, and I even purchased a  few things for myself. Like, two pairs of jeans that are now two sizes smaller than what I was wearing 4 years ago, two pairs of winter gloves, a bed jacket, and a beautiful scarf.

   

   We stopped for lunch at a Greek restaurant decorated for Christmas and enjoyed an excellent meal!

3. Janet dropped me at the hotel, where I napped and also had a quick meal before falling asleep. I stay at the IHG in Salem and have each time I had appointments with my Eye Surgeon.
4. Tuesday dawned, and I got up and had a quick breakfast. My appointment was set for 11:30 that morning. I was nervous, but also felt that my eye had been doing well. After having the inside of both eyes photographed, pressures taken (16 and 15), and getting dilated, I was ready to see Dr. S. He came in, carefully examined each eye. We lamented about all we had been through together before he told me I was good to go. Come back in one year, unless something unforeseen happens, and then call. I left the office on cloud nine!
5. Now I need to go to my local Optician and get new glasses. I will make an appointment after the holidays.

However, as Christmas nears, it is safe to say I got the best gift of all—my vision.

Happy Halloween!

Well, here we are. The last day of October. Where has the year gone? I know that part of the year was quite stressful as I was worried about the vision in my left eye, but as we race to the end of 2015 things are looking bright. Here are this week’s Friday Five.

1. I have never been a person who putters around. Not my thing. And yet, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday that is exactly what I did. Consequently my shelves are tidy and neat!
2. I overfilled my pajama drawer and it got stuck. I was unsure how to fix it, as I could not get it open. So I Googled it. First I searched and found out that I needed to get the drawer above out and then pinch the two slide mechanisms and gently slide the drawer out. Anyway these drawers weigh a ton, but in the end I was able to do it as well as put everything back. I’m pretty proud of that.
3. I went in today for my first hair shaping in nearly two years.
   
   The good news is that my natural curls are back and my hair will be eaasier to do.
4. I stopped over at George’s Diner for lunch on Thursday. It’s the first time I have been there since Jon and Jose were here.
5. Lastly, My plans this weekend are to keep puttering. I want this place to not only look neat, but actually be neat, even the closets!

Have a great weekend as we welcome in the month of November.

1. I felt pretty sad to hear of Diane Keaton’s death. It seems that 2025 has been full of losses in the entertainment world. I remember talking with my grandmother about loss. But for her, it wasn’t just celebrities; it was people in her own family and peer group. She said that if you live long enough, it happens. Grandma has been gone 40 years, but I still recall our conversations, and I miss her very much.
2. My house shingles are done. I have cedar shakes for my siding, thus proving you can take the girl off of Cape Cod, but you can’t take the Cape Cod out of the girl. It was a big job. Anyone who has had to refinish cedar shakes knows that you need to strip the mold and mildew off the shingles and then use a good product to seal, tint, and finish the seal.
3. I also needed some repair work done to the outside frames of the windows. Anyway, it’s all done now, and I ordered the shutters. Once again, my house is a light, Cape Cod blue/gray.
4. Just when I thought that my health was on an upswing, I got the stomach flu! It hit me like a ton of bricks. So I am taking things slowly, and I hope the flu will be gone quickly.
5. I’ve been playing around with AI. For me, I have used it to look back at what might have been. For anyone who has lost a child, there comes a day when there are no new pictures. For me, it has been forty years. But with AI, I made a little snippet so that it lets me see Katie once again.