People, it’s Derby Week! I am ready to study up and share my scintillating insights into the Run for the Roses. You don’t want to miss that! Plus, we’re trying a whole new menu this year!
I apologize for these recent posts that are done so hastily, but here I am again, running out the door, throwing some words at you.
Last week, Dee and I met up for lunch and a matinee of Merrily We Roll Along. When we arrived at the theatre, we were the only people there –Just us, everything locked, a big sign advertising “Dear Evan Hansen”. It was Monday when I got in touch with the Box Office and they were, “we got the chance to do the Evan Hansen and pivoted in December, tried to get in touch with everyone”. I guess they did a pretty good job, except for us. To be honest, I’m not too excited to see this musical and it definitely messed with my schedule, but I’m heading back over to USI shortly.
The yard is out of control now, so Boy-Child is here mowing the top acres for us. I knew he’d come in handy one of these days.
I promise I’ll take my time for the Derby Week posts and make up for all this neglect. I’ll be back Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, so Watch this spot and join us as we Party!
Was it just last Monday that I wrote you that we’d weathered a rough week? Here I am again, your intrepid reporter, to let you know that we’ve weathered another rough week…
When I started sneezing and wheezing on the drive back from Chicago, I blamed allergies, but had a sneaky suspicion that it was a rhinovirus aka a cold. I hoped it wasn’t, but it was, and Casey caught it. It was a real booger for me (get it) to cough up the tenacious sputum, but this guy with two inguinal incisions was laid down with excruciating pain with every spasm. It was a bit of a set-back, to say the least. We saw the surgeon for routine follow-up on Friday and, guess what? the doctor had had the same bug, and they commiserated with each other. His incisions are healing well and his progress, though slower now than we’d hoped, is positively positive.
My patient lost a filling during this ordeal and we’re going to the dentist tomorrow after his annual eye exam. That will test his stamina, and I’m skeptical, but he’s in charge.
Our lawn is going to need mowing before Casey’s able, and I’ve talked with Michael about coming over and getting the front and side knocked down before it gets too overgrown. I have always wanted to forego mowing the meadow, all the way down to the woods with only a path around it, to see what wildflowers would grow up there. Looks like I’m getting my wish this year (for a while) and there are lots of oxeye daisies, violets, and others I can’t name. I can’t seem to get a good picture, either, but here we are…
I think last night and tonight may be our last days of low temps in the upper 30s – fingers crossed – but I had to bring my tomatoes and peppers inside, where they’ll stay for a couple of days.
I’m meeting Dee for the final USI theatrical production of the year: Merrily we Roll Along. I’m gaining a new appreciation for Sondheim this season. We have enjoyed all of the shows and we’ll definitely attend next year.
Last week was quite the week for healthcare around the acres. Casey’s double hernia repair went very well; of course, it hurt and the pain meds are a blessing and a curse. On his surgery day, I was sick as a dog, coughing, sniffing, and eyes so watery I could hardly open them, but I bravely wore a mask and did my duty. The next days are a blur of care-giving for both of us, but by Thursday I was feeling much better and Michael came by to do a few chores for us. The husband was going through his “will I ever poop again?” phase and I threatened him with an enema until he pushed through on Saturday. I’m nothing but supportive with my patients…
On Saturday, my favorite plant store opened and I was the first one through the doors. Within 30 minutes, the lines were an hour long, and though I managed to get tomatoes and peppers, herbs and some flowers, the crowds were so deep I couldn’t really buy everything I need. That’s okay, we’ve got a while to go before this stuff goes in the ground.
The Peace/Bird Garden, however, is another story. My current favorite perennial there is garden phlox, which happens to also be a fave of the deer, so several weeks back I dug it all up, planning to put it in the back fenced garden. Somehow, I managed to leave in the phlox and dug up three coneflower plants instead. By the time I figured this all out, the phlox in the ground had grown quite quickly, so yesterday I got out and re-arranged the garden, adding one more phlox and re-planting the coneflower. I’ve got allium (a member of the onion family) all around the perimeter, hoping to discourage the deer and I have a few other tricks up my sleeve…
Whilst digging and moving, I moved just wrong and ended up laying on a heating pad most of the day yesterday. No, I did not take any of Casey’s pain pills… It’s somewhat better today, but I’m taking it easy.
The weather in these parts shows super temps from 50s to 80s for the next two weeks, but I’m so skeptical. I judge by my experience with Kentucky Derby Day, the first Saturday in May (5/2 this year) and more often than not we’re wearing coats with our hats, so I’m holding back planting my warm-weather crops for now. My peas and onions are doing great and my potatoes are peeping up, too.
Casey has his follow-up appointment with the surgeon this Friday. Until then, we’re free and I plan to visit as many local garden spots as I can.
Sorry to make you wait for this rather plain missive. Hope you’re feeling well where you are.
I don’t know if there are words to describe the emotions this ol’ grandma has felt this last week, especially watching my Emma dance. It’s very akin to Joy, but more radiant? It’s a little like feeling proud, but more incandescent? It was beautiful, she is beautiful, and so deserving of her status as Top American Irish Dancer in the World. I’m so grateful for these experiences and thankful for my family.
We made it to the Art Institute of Chicago on a cold day, but it was warm inside. I was so thrilled! I’ve never seen so many impressionist artists in one place. There was Monet, Manet, Pisarro, , Renoir, and Cassat.
America was also represented well, with a great Norman Rockwell that personifies Chicago baseball, “The Dugout”, Grant Wood’s “American Gothic, and the renowned “Nighthawks at the Diner” by Edward Hopper.
The Matisse Exhibit featured his paper cut-outs, a technique he started to use in the 1940s. I didn’t know that.
We said our good-byes to the Jose Fam at dinner after the Awards Ceremony on Friday, and started back home in the storms Saturday morning. Geez, gas is $4.59/gal up there! About 50 miles into the trip, we began to see it drop to $4.20, then 100 miles south, the prices were down to $3.97; another 100 miles down, $3.78. Here in Eville, gas at the Walmart is $3.69. What’s with that??? I just shake my head.
Tomorrow’s Casey’s surgery, a simple hernia repair, no biggie. I’ll be playing nurse for a few days, and get caught up on my reading. The weather after Wednesday looks gorgeous and I’m hoping to get out and buy plants!!!
My allergies really flared up on the drive home yesterday – we went the backroads through the Illinois cornfields – so it feels like Spring to me! Hope it’s blossoming in your neck of the woods.
The News from Sonnystone Acres 