Tag: Friends

My friend, Karen

On By Jo Mayne CaseyIn 2019, Special Edition, Winter at SonnystoneLeave a comment

My friend, Karen, lived across the street from us when we lived in Melody Hill from 1963-67 (a long stretch in one place for my family).  I remember summers when we stayed overnight constantly, going from my house to hers.  We skated and skateboarded, and built a skateboard-for-2 using four skates and some plywood.  We built a fort in the field out back and ran screaming when we saw mice.  We experienced the Beatles invasion together.  We took in a stray cat and named her Jo-Kar (joker) and when she had kittens my parents had a conniption. We never missed an episode of  Peyton Place when it was on three times a week.  We crushed on the Men from U.N.C.L.E.  We were still innocent and imaginative and we spent hours just talking.  I am so grateful to have had a best friend like her.  We moved to California in 1967 and it was heart wrenching to leave.

Karen’s father died last Saturday at the ripe old age of 92.  Her mother is still living.  I went over to the funeral home and we hugged and hugged, cried a little, but smiled, too.

No matter how life moves you in different directions, the bond you form at an early age is enduring.  Karen and I have seen each other a few times over the years, but FB got us back together.  She lives in Florida now and one of these years we’re going to swing by and visit.

I’m sorry for the circumstances, but seeing her today was like a gift.

Peace

 

Weekly Wrap-Up

On By Jo Mayne CaseyIn 2018, Summer at Sonnystone, updates, week-end wrap-up1 Comment

Wow, another quick week… Is time speeding up or is it just me?  Okay, I know Einstein proved that the closer a person comes to the speed of Light, the slower time goes…my lollygagging and sauntering is pretty far from 186,000 miles per second, so maybe I Am speeding up time…  (sorry if I just offended you with some science;  you don’t actually have to believe it to make it so)

Monday I hung out with Samantha while her big sis went to the allergy doctor.  Olivia has a peanut allergy and freaks out every year when she has her blood drawn.  Happily, this year they didn’t test her, so she came over and played with us for a while afterward, too, though I’ve only got the pics of S, dancing…

Tuesday was Dentist Day.  I really love my new dentist, not just because everybody in the office is super, but mostly because they let me pick a prize from a big suitcase every time I visit!  I got a candle this time!

Wednesday was Super Special.  I drove over to Southern Illinois, site of my illustrious beginnings, because my dear friend Kathy was in Carmi, staying at her sisters’. First, however, I stopped off 15 miles up the road in Grayville to visit with Uncle Jr, who is doing great at the Home over there.  Jimmy had finally brought over some pictures and we talked about his Mom and Dad (my grandma and grandpa Eaton) and his brothers and sisters.  I always greet him with “Hi, Uncle Junior!  It’s me, Jo, Ruby’s girl”  So far, he acts like he knows me, but he might think I’m my sister…that’s okay, too…  I’m not sure I have this picture of Grandma and Grandpa, so I took a quick shot through the frame.  When I go back, I’ll take tomatoes and do better…

I met Kathy back in August, 1971, as we moved into the dorms at Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing.  The friendship that started then, deepened into a True Love for each other that has only grown over the years.  Our outsides are not much alike, but if you saw our insides you’d think we were twins!!  We had many adventures before Life moved us apart.  I thank the Internet that I found her again (even her parents had moved) and we have managed to get together every year for, gee, about 10 years now!

Arriving in Carmi, I Finally got to meet Kathy’s oldest daughter, Devon, and her son, Olsen.  I felt such Peace emanating from Devon, and as for Olsen—too, too cute, sweet, and darling.

 

Olsen Scott McClurken
Jo and Kathy Jo
Karen and Devon, ignoring me…

Her sisters, Judy, Karen, and Denise, were there, too, so it was real Family time.  It was nice to see how Families stick together through thick and thin, supporting and encouraging each other.  I was a little jealous…  These women, far from perfect, have not even considered walking away, severing the relationship, or using a person’s mental status to judge and reject.  Of course, close relationships go through times of strain and tension, but Sibling Bonds were designed to Last Forever.  Yeah, I envy the Love that those Sisters Share, a bond that cannot be broken.  Luckily for me, Kathy and I share that same Sister Bond.

Saturday was my daughter-in-law’s (Jess) birthday!  My heart is full of love and respect for this young lady.  Here’s to many more birthdays and un-birthdays for Jessica!

The main show, however, is the back porch…  While I gallavanted around, speeding up and slowing down time, Casey was keeping a steady pace building my “greenhouse” walkway.

 

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On August 5 Casey and I marked 40 years since our first date, and this week we’ll celebrate 38 years of wedded (or is it weeded) bliss.    I’ll write something appropriately gooey for that.  Till then…

Peace

 

 

Week-end Wrap-up

On By Jo Mayne CaseyIn 2016, Spring at Sonnystone, week-end wrap-up2 Comments

We watched Samantha on Friday while her m & d went to the movie…   She’s 14 months old now..

Grandparenting is simply Joy…

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As if that weren’t enough excitement, my old-friend-from-grade-school, MeeMaw Tweet-Tweet (aka Luann Bird) was here to visit her mom, so she stopped by with her daughter and grandson…  I wish she could have stayed longer, but maybe I’ll get another glimpse of her tomorrow before she flies back to Portland…

I’m cleaning up the gardens and planting containers, amending the soil, and gathering the vegetables for the edible garden.  I’ll show you some pictures next week… Oh, and did you notice I got my hair cut?  Seriously cut.  It is perfect for easy clean-up after a day getting dirty/sweaty in the garden…

Hope your week-end has been full of fun..!

Resigned…

On By Jo Mayne CaseyIn Breaking News, updates6 Comments

I just dropped my resignation in the mailbox and I feel like a ton of bricks fell off of my shoulders.

But it’s a mixture of relief and grief…

I’ve had a grand 8 years as a school nurse.  Looking back, the very first year was the toughest.  Nobody, I mean nobody, showed me what to do.  I had a thick handbook of guidelines and policies that was supposed to prepare me.  I didn’t know about hall passes, bell schedules, and (worst of all) I had no idea how to use the computer–no password, no training.  The 8th-graders could smell blood and a certain group of boys would duck into my office during passing period, constantly skipping class, pretending to be sick so they could take a nap.  There was a contingent of girls who were always angry and always on their periods, showing up every hour to beg me to send them home.   This was nursing???  Lunchtime always attracted a group of misfits who were just too awkward to enjoy recess, and those were the ones who really touched me.  It was enough to make me try it one more year.

The next year my mission was to get the teachers on board to send passes with the kids, but I think many of them took it as a challenge and would let 2-3 go to my office at a time, same pass, none of them sick.  Others just sent them on, too busy to write a pass, so there was often standing-room-only in my office.   I just gave up and started feeding them crackers for their belly aches, their headaches, or because they were there, and I tell you, those crackers magically cured whatever ailed them.  I began to listen to their stories.  Most of it was a load of crap, honestly.   It takes a special kind of patience to listen to adolescent problems and I developed that skill.  Occasionally,  there would be someone who I genuinely touched,  someone who I was able to help through a tough time.    Even though the job was maddening, and the pay was shitty, I felt like I needed to stay… just in case there was one more someone out there who I could help.  6 years flew by…

test jobI became the Manager of the Misfit Cafe, where the crackers are Magic.  I gave out hugs and advice, scoldings and praise, comfort and safety.  Yes, there were plenty of bloody noses, head lice, broken bones, and a rash of concussions, as well.  There was a smattering of complaining parents and teachers, but for the most part, I loved it.

This year, though, the kids seemed more like manipulators than misfits, and the crackers lost their Magic.  Parents were harder to please, teachers touchier, and I was overwhelmed by the paperwork.  My patience wore thin, blew out, broke down.

There are 6 co-workers who I call friend and will remember fondly.  I made many kid-friends who I remember with love.

… I’m turning out the lights,  hanging the CLOSED sign on the door, and moving on..

What’s next?

we'll know when we get there

 

Looking back, briefly…

On By Jo Mayne CaseyIn RandomLeave a comment

I’ve wrapped up 2013 with a wonderfully magical trip to visit The Mouse.  My feet are sore, but I am rejuvenated and revived, ready to start another year.  The trip has been way too full to document in real time, but you will be treated to a montage in a couple of days.

Let’s put together a medley of  2013’s greatest hits…  First, and probably most significantly,

I celebrated my 60th birthday in February…

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I dreaded this change of decade for months before it occurred and it took me months afterward to accept the inevitable.  The changes in my body and face still surprise me, as if they had happened suddenly and without warning.   I’m still not too happy about the sagging, but it’s better than the alternative.

I spent lots of time with grand-daughters…

Family…

and friends…

There were some fests, trails, craft and car shows, and Always Nashville…

We painted, carpeted, repaired, and landscaped…

I’ve got to fill up my mug and head on back home.  Have a safe and happy New Year’s Eve.

I leave you with this quote…

Rarely, if ever, moments come that are so defining in our lives.  The years are glutted with benign matters which impact us more deeply than we could have ever imagined in our youth.                   —-Joel T. McGrath

Friends

On By Jo Mayne CaseyIn RandomLeave a comment

Cousin Lana and I were pleased with “Ghost Brothers of Darkland County” last Thursday night.  I was skeptical going in, but it was very enjoyable.   I ran into Motz and Middle, the dynamic duo that taught my kids at Thompkins;  they were wearing their matching tuxes, ushering the crowds to their seats.  (retirement looks good on those two)

I met up with some high-school friends the other night, and made a new friend…  It had been 20 years since I’d visited with Nancy, and Martha and I just renewed our friendship in person last August…   I’m not sure how I hadn’t met Nancy’s sister, Cindy, before…she seemed like someone I’ve known forever.  We had a great time!  I hope we can go out again, soon-ish, and maybe I could stay up past midnight next time…

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Nancy, me, Martha, Cindy

 

We met up at the Bokeh Lounge, a place I’ve been meaning to visit.  The music was Opal Fly and the saxophone player was Roy Conner…

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After talking through a session there, we went down to Boogie Nights, a Disco where Cindy’s kids work.  I didn’t feel old…much…

Our furnace is broken…oh, well, I was wondering what to do with my money.   It’s turned cool, but we ought to be able to just cuddle for warmth until the professionals can make a housecall.

Stay warm…

 

 

day 82…reset to day 1

On By Jo Mayne CaseyIn RandomLeave a comment

It’s all over but the shouting, folks.  The 81 Days are history, a fond memory…  I did try to send off the summer vacay  with some sightings of the Perseid meteor showers last night around midnight, but didn’t spot anything but mosquitoes.  My valiant effort to view the celestial show  before dawn this morning was met with cloud cover…

I’m going in to my building this morning to set up my office in time for 6th grade orientation tonight;  tomorrow there is a meeting for just nurses;  Wednesday is the day the students return and the 2013-2014 school year officially begins.  This is my 7th year as a school nurse and I’m finally getting good at it.  I can’t write about much of the crazy stuff that goes on with middle-schoolers (the names have been changed to protect the innocently guilty), but trust me, it’s daily drama, continuing comedy, with a touch of tragedy.

Here’s a tip of my coffee mug to welcome a New Year, a fresh start, a clean slate, tabula rasa, abounding with opportunity and promise…

Amen…

 

I’ve missed you…

On By Jo Mayne CaseyIn RandomLeave a comment

It’s been a busy almost-2-weeks since I’ve sat down and shared with y’all.  Part of the reason is that I have felt like Crap, Poop, and Mostly Snot for the week leading into July 4th, prompting me to cough, sneeze, blow my nose until I look like Bozo, take more medicine that I care to (didn’t help), gripe, complain, and constantly explain that I’m not crying, I’m not high (hardly), it’s just my damned allergies.  I’m not one of those people who actually knows what they’re allergic to, but my suspicion is molds.  The rainy weather that sat on our area for 6 days, inundating us, is the culprit.  Even the first glimpse of blue sky was quickly covered back up, a tease that only made my head ache worse.  This morning is beautiful–sunny and clear–and I’m still snotty and raspy, have used a half-box of kleenex, and half-dozen cough drops, but wherever there’s sunshine, there’s hope.

Back at the track (Ellis, that is)…

Ellis began its 90th season of thoroughbred racing on 7/4 this year.  I checked in on the first and got the First Aid Station all set up, then worked through my pain and discomfort, griping my way through the week-end.  Despite some set-backs with the dirt track (somebody is verrry cheap out there), there were plenty of horses to fill the race slots for 9 races each day but Friday.  I had to buy a KHRC license this year and I feel so, um, horsey?  official?  cool…

I did manage to make $2 yesterday, but have mostly made bets for the EMT’s that I work with…it’s more fun to watch other people lose their money.  The one gal I’m working with has never been to the races before and her “beginner’s luck” and her excitement was delightful…

Our ambulance, driven by my friendly co-workers, is always close behind…

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Mark your calendars…

Please note that Melissa and her daughters will be arriving at Sonnystone on Saturday, July 13 and staying until July 31.  Most of our friends know that I just open up the house and you can come by anytime, but I want to make it clear to all:  Please come by anytime.

I may or may not have a party, but even if I do, I don’t want that one time to be the only time you visit.  We want Emma and Eliza to see all of their friends while they’re here:  L, MJ, Sophie, Silas, Fiona, Archer, Berkeley, Briley,  Ben, Noah, Sam, and just everyone.   We’ll have the camper set up, there’s some craft work to be done, and I’ll try to feed them.   I know Melissa will be making the pool tour at Kristi’s, Elaine’s, Lauren’s, Sandy’s, and Burdette.  Give me a call and we’ll make some final plans for them.  I have to work several of the days they’re here, so don’t count on me;  I’m just the co-ordinator.  (you can see me anytime).  I’m sure Olivia will be hanging out most of the time, too, so come on!!!

special note to cousins:  it would be a Great time to visit..!  

I’ll be bugging you about this, so don’t think you can ignore me.

 

Pals…

On By Jo Mayne CaseyIn RandomLeave a comment

Okay, after my last post, I might have left you thinking that I have no friends.  I actually do, though…

A  young lady I met in nursing school, born a week after me in the same hospital (probably the same incubator, we figure), Kathy Jo McClurken Hanson is a pal, good and true.  Kathy and I didn’t just share our time at DSN, but we shared some happy/sad/challenging years afterward.  I don’t think I could have survived my first marriage without her friendship and support.  She disappeared when Melissa was about 3 or 4, but I hunted her down as soon as the Internets would help me.  I found her about 4 years ago in Ames, Iowa.   Her mom still lives over in Carmi, so I’m thrilled to see her whenever she visits the area; we met up for lunch at Olive Garden yesterday.   She and I have always connected on a very spiritual level and we pick up conversations right where we left off.

Kathy and I planned to save the world, but as Lennon said, “Life is what happens when you’re making other plans”.  Besides, we didn’t really know How…yet.  Yesterday as we discussed what we plan for our retirement years, I got very excited about the prospect of  dusting off those old ideals and using our acquired wisdom to realize them.  I think now we might really know How…

I only wish she lived closer, but I hold her close in my heart.