Posted in Sunday Report

Stress and the Test

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

I confess, I was very stressed about my echocardiogram stress test. Scheduled for 2/21, I spent 2/20 engulfed with anxiety, a chronic condition of mine, but the morning of the test my blood pressure was a pristine 120/71–perfect! As the sweet young tech hooked me up with electrodes, she convinced me that the test would be more accurate with contrast, so I agreed that an IV should be started. As the gal was starting the IV, my blood pressure shot up to 171/90, not good, but she almost blew the vein and it hurt.

She did the pre-test echocardiogram, and then we moved to the treadmill, where she instructed me that the incline and speeds would be increased every three minutes until we achieved a target heart rate of 127. The doctor arrived, and off we went. I do not do well uphill and though the pace wasn’t excessive, that incline was more than I expected. My heart rate went up to 136 after about two minutes, and just before the three-minute mark, my blood pressure blew up to 250/150… I said, Oh, my god! and the tech said, wow, that can’t be right, and came over and started fiddling with my blood pressure cuff, just as the treadmill was changing to an increased speed and incline. I felt no chest pain, but my legs were tired. The doctor told me we’d achieved our target rate and stopped the test. I then hustled over to the bed for a post-stress echo.

Well. In a couple of hours, the doctor had interpreted the results. My heart is fine, no blockages, good ejection fraction, no enlargement, rhythms had remained normal. The blood pressure thing, though, needs to be followed up.

Over 70% of Americans over 65 have hypertension, though many of them don’t know it. I had suspected that my blood pressure was increasing, but I started taking meds for cholesterol and had hoped its effect would also lower my b/p numbers. I’ve been checking my b/p at home and it appears I do have hypertension. I don’t know how they got that 120/70 number, but I’d like to see it again. I have an appointment with my NP March 4, so I suppose we’ll start some meds then.

I’m just lucky I’ve gone this long without significant health problems. Sometimes I feel guilty about it, as I have certainly abused my body and seem to have “gotten away with it”. Age always catches up with you, but genes are co-piloting. Celebrating my 71st birthday with Captain Morgan could be considered risky behavior, but I like that kind of excitement — it’s in my genes.

I’m just trying to Age Like Wine…

Old timer, old timer
Too late to die young now
Old timer, five-and-dimer
Tryin’ to find a way to age like wine somehow

Todd Snider –
I thought that I’d be dead by now…but I’m not…

I’m meeting up with Lana at the Yellow Tavern in New Harmony tomorrow for the last of this year’s galas. It’s been a good week – I think I’ll do it again next year. Be there.

Peace

Posted in Birthdays, Special Edition

Happy Birthday, dear #4!

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

Today is the Number Nine birthday of Samantha Lynn Mayne Casey and I am More than nine years grateful that she was born. She is the only grandie who was born in Evansville and who, therefore, I have been able to spoil on an every-day basis all of her life. It has been a joy. I asked her the other day if she would stop visiting me every week when she gets older (like her Sissy) and she replied, “Probably”. Truth there, as even a Spectacular Jojo takes a backseat when adolescence takes the wheel, but for now we still play, even riding our magic carpets every so once in a while, so I hang on to every moment I get.

We celebrated “our” birthday on Monday at Gattitown. I really enjoy that place and the food is pretty good. Michael and Jess came along, though Jess had to leave and get back to work. Nova and Aiden, aka Shark, joined in the fun.

Samantha will be back tomorrow for her usual Friday Night Sleepover and Saturday JAM piano lesson and we’ll turn our minds to our upcoming Disney trip.

Oh, I sort of passed my stress test –at least I didn’t drop dead. I’ll tell you all about it in my Sunday Report. Until then,

Peace

Posted in Sunday Report

Birthday Week 2024

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

Let the Wild Rumpus Begin!

I like to make a big deal of my birthday celebrations now that I’m an oldster. February is often cold and gloomy, considered a long month despite its brevity of days. For several years I had parties here at the house, sometimes at restaurants, inviting as many younger people as possible to give me a shot of energy. I’ve had birthday galas in NYC, Nashville, California, and, of course, Disney World. When my #4 grandie was born February 22, 2015, just one day before my own natal day, I saw a grand opportunity to have joint celebrations, so since then she and I have a party for “our” birthday, usually just cupcakes and pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey, but great fun.

This year we’re taking Samantha, two of her buddies, along with Nova and her boyfriend, Aiden, to Gattitown for pizza and games. It’s Presidents Day tomorrow, no school, kids eat free, and I really enjoy the games myself, so it seems like a sign that good times are in store.

No Disney this year for my birthday because we are going for a week in March with Boychild and his family. We enjoy Disney by ourselves, but going with the kids is fantastic. I can hardly wait.

Appropriately marking my advancing age, I have an echocardiogram stress test scheduled for February 21. The radiologist who read my annual lung CT saw nothing on the lungs, but the atherosclerosis in my coronary arteries is still there, so I’ve got a new diagnosis and my primary doctor wants to look further. I’m not worried about it, in fact welcome it. Having worked in cardiac care many years ago, I know there’s lots we can do about coronary artery disease, so I’m happy to see if I need treatment.

So my birthday-date plans are up in the air. I may be celebrating a great test result, I may be starting new meds. I’ll let you know. Wild Rumpus-ing is not likely…

The sun has been bright in the mornings, belying 20degree temperatures. In its usual bipolar way, Eville will swing back to mild 60+ degree days this week, so maybe I can work on my tan….

Today is my Mom’s birthday, in heaven as they say. She would be 93 if she were still kickin’, but it was her fate to die at age 71, back in 2003. Her birthday was always the Prologue to my own, just five days later. I guess we never stop missing our parents.

Every week Dan Rather writes a nice blog post over at Substack. Today’s post included this video of Peggy Lee, a great singer/songwriter, singing her song “It’s a Good Day”. Music is a fine way to start any day, and this song got my toes tappin’. Hope it inspires you, too.

Peggy Lee wrote this song and many others, including “Fever”… Such a wonderfully talented lady.

Peace

Posted in Just another blog post, Thursday Things

Three Things on Thursday

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

First thing: The thing about genealogy is that it leads to a lot of peripheral research regarding the history of the times in which your ancestors lived. As I worked on the story of my great-great grandparents, I found myself becoming quite erudite regarding the American Civil War, particularly the time after U.S. Grant took over as commander of the Union Armies, since that is when my great-grandfather served. Really, the Union was faltering before that, but Grant and his good friend, William Tecumseh Sherman aggressively chased down the remaining armies of the Confederacy. With Ken Burns’ lovely “Ashoken Farewell” playing through my head, I have lived with Emma and Leander and their children for months now, and today I posted my story. I kind of hate to finish, as I am still learning, but it’s time to move on. Here’s a link to their story:

My Great-Great-Grandparents’ Story

Second Thing: I made a big batch of jambalaya for Mardis Gras, too big, in fact. I try to cut back the recipe, but I always end up eating it for days. It’s good, though. My Dad played guitar /sang and when I was little, he changed the words to Hank Williams’ Jambalaya to make it all about me, still my favorite subject. It was pretty easy, but where there’s “Joe”, he would sing “Doe”, or instead of poling the pirogue down the bayou, he would go see “Baby Doe”. It was years before I realized those weren’t the real words.

Last year we were in Disney World on Mardis Gras and stuffed ourselves with beignets and hurricanes at Port Orleans. I wish I could make a decent beignet, but my attempts have been wasteful. We weren’t up for hurricanes this year, either, because I’m saving my drinking for my birthday.

Third Thing: Casey is such a mensch, and I want to praise him as I should. My Valentines Day card was a sweet Mickey and Minnie affair, accompanied by a bouquet of tulips and a small box of chocolates. I got him nothing, as usual. I don’t deserve him…well, actually I do, but he is better at cards and presents.

Birthday Week is on the horizon for grandie Samantha (Feb. 22) and me (Feb. 23). We’re going make party plans during our Friday sleepover/JAM lesson and I’ll let you know in my Sunday Report. I’m thinking it may involve Gattitown for the kids, and Captain Morgan for me. Stay tuned.

I’m putting away all of my genealogy papers (for now). The sunshine is showing the dust again, so I’ve got to stir my stumps and get some cleaning done. Hope you’re doing well in your neck of the woods.

Peace

Posted in Sunday Report

Brother and Birds

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

The stormy clouds finally cleared and the sunshine has been abundant since Thursday. It was still gray and gusty on Tuesday when I met up with my brother, aka Brother, for lunch at Olive Garden. It was a make-up date from Christmas and an early celebration of my February birthday. We try to get together every couple of months and I always look forward to it. 

I love swapping stories with Bro. He does have a name — Rick — but I have called him Brother since I learned to talk. He’s almost six years older than me, happily married for nearly 57 years, three daughters, eight grandchildren — just a great guy. 

Other than that foray to the East Side, we’ve been home. We set up a little picnic down at the firepit in the grove on Friday and spent some time staring at the fire. 

Oh, but the birds continue to fascinate us. The hawk has given up on our feeders since we moved them under the porch and no squirrels have attempted to raid them, so we’ve left them there. 

The sunshine makes such a difference in attitude, doesn’t it? I feel like my battery is fully charged! Hope you’re feeling energized in your neck of the woods. 

 Peace

Posted in Sunday Report

The Wheel of the Year

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

The wheel is turning and we can’t slow down… My New York Irish Dancer grand-daughters both had birthdays last week. Eliza, my #3 grandie, turned 13 on the 21st; Emma, my #1 grandie, turned 18 on the 24th. I am a little dizzy thinking about how the time has flown. They are gems in my crown and their futures look so bright that I gotta wear shades…

My #1 and #3 grandies,

Emma Magnolia Mayne Jose: 

Eliza Belle Mayne Jose: 

The old seasonal celebrations, passed down from ancient times, inform us that we will be celebrating the half-way mark of winter this week. Nearly every ancient culture divided the year into four parts marked by the Winter Solstice, the Vernal Equinox, the Summer Solstice and the Autumnal Equinox. Today, we still recognize these as demarcating our seasons. Our ancestors further divided the year at the halfway points between the solstices and the equinoxes. These divisions are the Cross Quarter Days: Feb. 2, May 1, Aug. 1 and Oct. 31. You probably recognize those Cross Quarter Days as Groundhog Day, May Day, and Halloween, though August first is usually just another hot day in Southern Indiana…

The ancients did not call it Groundhog Day, though I’m sure they would have loved the movie; they called it Imbolc. Punxsutawney Phil’s emergence may advise us whether we celebrate only 6 more weeks until Spring, or commiserate 6 more weeks of winter, but I’m going to celebrate the three hours of daylight we have added since that shortest day on December 23. This winter has been foggy and gloomy lately, and we need a little perking up. Folks of yore sure did like their bonfires and we’re going to stir one up this week. The temperatures are predicted to be balmy and I’ll be happy to get outside…verrry happpy to go outside. 

The toe is healed, I’m getting around like a champ, and I’m ready for my own birthday month. The Jubilee Year wasn’t quite up to snuff for me, so I’m considering making them all a Jubilee. How ’bout it? Let’s dance… I’ve got plenty of room on my dance card…

Peace

Posted in Weekly Wrap-Up

Sunday Report

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

I’ve been putting it off for a couple of months, waiting until “after the holidays”, so I saw the podiatrist last Thursday to remove an ingrown toenail. So exotic, eh? I’ll spend the next 2-3 weeks propping up the old gam, doing daily epsom salt foot soaks, and limping around in my birkenstocks. It’s a good time of year for this, as I’m not a fan of cold weather, and I ‘m ready to surge ahead with my Goodreads book challenge, whilst watching videos trashing Harry & Meghan on YT, and snacking.  Such fun…

Oh, the Birds are fun, too. We’ve had a Cooper’s Hawk hanging ’round for a while now, but he/she mostly stayed back in the wood line. Recently, we’ve spotted him/her very close to the feeders, though the birds seem to be aware of her/his presence. In case you didn’t know, Hawks feed on other birds, especially ground-birds like robins, doves, etc. but they’ll eat songbirds right off the feeders if they can. At feeding time we host 3+ dozen birds, usually cardinals, titmice, finches, wrens, and woodpeckers, all of which would make a nice treat for a hawk, so we moved the feeders to hangers under the south porch where the hawks can’t swoop to them. They like a nice gray squirrel, too, and I wonder if that’s why we haven’t seen many of them lately. 

I should be able to get the next chapter of my “Mayne Saga” published this week. That will be over at “All My Ancestors” and you’re always welcome to visit. Most of my writing goes on over at that blog, but you really can’t tell because it’s mostly edits. I’d like to put it all in print this year, so that’s where the intense scribbling is happening…and why this little journal is so boring…

It’s getting wintry around here…bundle up and stay warm! 

Peace

Posted in New Year Day Special Edition

Happy New Year

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

2023 gave us such a rough ending, so we are grateful to turn the page and move on. The Jubilee year wasn’t much of a Jubilee, actually. Seems like everybody jumped on the bandwagon and turned 70 in uniquely fun ways, both intimidating and inspiring. I learned so many lessons last year, a surprise since I thought I’d just about figured it all out, but from my current perspective, there’s still so much more. So, Welcome 2024, a fresh slate, a blank page, full of possibilities…

I hope to blog more on this blog in 2024. I have been keeping busy editing and researching my family tree over at All My Ancestors, neglecting this little community. I truly appreciate those of you who read my words and continue to follow me, though the posts are sporadic. . Thank-you from the bottom of my heart. 

My “motto” for 2024 comes from Rabbi A.J. Heschel: 

Just To Be is a blessing.

Just to Live is holy.

This Moment is the marvel.

May we All Live this Marvelous Moment in Peace.

Posted in New York at Christmas 2023

Shortest Day, Longest Night

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

Today is the Winter Solstice, and here in our neck of the Northern Hemisphere there will be 5 hours, 16 minutes of daylight — thankfully we’ve had some sun. Now begins the entrance of the Light, adding minutes of brightness each day until June. I always feel quite relieved at the Solstice, as if I’ve passed a test by still being in my right mind, such as it is. 

We flew from Nashville to NYC last Friday for our Annual Christmas in New York with the Jose’ Fam. On Saturday we headed to SoHo for some shopping, stopping first at a random restaurant, Jack’s Wife Freda. Great restaurant, if you ever have the chance. The girls picked out their Christmas presents, Melissa, Casey, and I went to a Maira Kalman pop-up, and we came back to the casa. 

That evening, the daughter and I went back to midtown and watched “& Juliet”. It was great, made you laugh, tap your toes, and even think. 

The next morning, we hit Radio City Music Hall for the 10am performance of the The Rockettes Christmas Spectacular, viewing the show from our usual third mezzanine seats, sipping Jameson and ginger, singing along with Hark! the Herald! It was our 18th visit — would have been 20 except for the Covid — and it has gotten better each year, adding more great choreography. 

As is our tradition, we met the guys over at Bill’s Burgers, where they had already wrangled a big table. We had just ordered our food and gotten our drinks when Melissa got a phone call. I watched as she burst into tears, crying out Oh, No, and telling the person on the other end she’d be right there. She was melting with tears and grief as she told us that Michelle, Aunt Mich to the Emma and Eliza, had died sometime in the night. We knew little more than that for a long while after. Melissa took off to help Michelle’s husband and kids (who call her Aunt Mel). We sat there, stunned, and cried. Unbelievable.  · 

From Melissa’s FB page…

It is with deepest sadness and grief that we must share the news that Michelle Starrs Bissell, beloved mother, wife, daughter, and friend, passed away suddenly on the morning of December 17.

Anyone who knew Michelle knows that she was a beacon of kindness and love, a brilliant talent, an absolutely devoted mother, and so much more; a bright light to all she encountered. Please hold Abram, Ella, Ava, Susan, and all of Michelle’s dear family in your hearts; we appreciate your love & support as we begin to navigate this unthinkable loss.

Memorial arrangements/details to follow in the new year.

Yesterday was my daughter’s 49th birthday. She and her friend always celebrated together and had already planned to see some shows next month. Michelle would record “Happy Birthday” with her daughters and send it to her.  I wish I could take away her pain. Insert cliche’ here. 

The Wink grief had gotten me behind on Christmas gifts for the Jr girls, but we’re going to the Mall tomorrow for lunch and some shopping. We’re going to make snickerdoodles, too, so here comes the sugar-bingeing.

Sorry to bring ya down. I’m working on getting back up.

Peace

Posted in Farewell, Winkster! You are Loved!

Winkerman “Wink” Casey 2004-2023

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

This has been one of the saddest, toughest weeks of my long life. Casey and I decided together that it was time and made an appointment with the vet, who was out of town until today. So today is the day.

In 2011, I wrote a story about Wink going missing, telling the story of how the little imp came to live with us:

the missing wink

ON  BY JO MAYNE CASEY

geez, why do we have pets???  as if people-relationships aren’t enough, we crave the domesticated  animal to feed and stroke.  so it was that i came to own a 1-eyed cat called wink.  my aged feline, the legendary Sonny (of Sonnystone Acres fame) died at the venerable age of 16-or-so…i was volunteering at the lutheran school library when the librarian noted my distress and decided that i should take on a new kitten.  this kitten had been thrown out on her countryside property with its eye hanging out of its socket.  her brother is a veterinarian (which is why she gets a lot of throwout-animals) so she took it to him.  at first, they tried eyedrops and such, but finally his eye was removed and when i met him he was about 3 months old and his stitches were still covering his missing orbit.  he was playful and seemingly unaware that he was different—i fell in love and brought him home.  he hides…especially from children (who i think may have contributed to the eye-loss).  he’s a Great friend…loves feet…vigilant protection from lizards…always hungry.   he never went outside of the house, but when we built the screened-in back porch we would keep the window open so he could go from the kitchen in and out.  i’ve never seen him try to get out of that porch, though he runs wildly window to window when critters come near.  i’m thinkin’  he must have been planning this escape…like the shawshank redemption…he probably would wait until we were soundly asleep and throw himself at the screendoor (held shut by a snap-latch) until…last night…he finally broke out….

he won’t talk about where he’s been for the last 24 hours.  we just kept checking, listening, and finally he showed up at the screendoor…hungry…”okay, rub me, but feed me Now”…he’d lost his collar (we put his old leopard-skin-bell back on)…i’m pretty sure he’s going to write a book, though, so i’ll let you know.

His was a wonderful life, loved by all, but especially by his Mom and Dad. We were empty-nesters and he was our baby. He was well-traveled, going from New Mexico to Tennessee (he saw a bear!) and three times to Disney World, where he saw the fireworks every night.

He has been my sleeping companion, my shoulder to cry on, my beloved familiar. “Give momma a kiss” I would say and he’d oblige as I puckered up and his scratchy tongue licked my nose. My morning routine began with feeding him; my night-time routine ended with him cuddled nearby.

He’s been trying to die on his own, and maybe if I didn’t have to go to NYC, he would have, but this is the way it has to be. I am bereft.

Y’all know what I’m talking about, don’t you? Let’s join together to beam out Love for all of our pets, living or not. They are a precious gift in this life.

He liked to lay on the dining table and watch me write…
He loved Christmas
Wink’s last picture, with bowls…

I wrapped him up in a blanket and carried him in my arms to the vet. He laid his head down on my shoulder and trusted me. Because he was so dehydrated, they couldn’t get a vein, so it was best that I let them take him back and do the procedure without me. He offered no resistance. They carried him back wrapped in a blanket and we brought him home. Casey had already dug the hole and the gravestone was ready. He rests easy now.

“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” –Winnie The Pooh

Geez, this is heart-wrenching. May Peace be with us all…