My first Phoenix Outing

Without my dear friends from Minneapolis to join me, I have put off outings for three years now. Sure, I've had visits from my Mpls/Tucson friends and other friends and relatives during the season. We've had dinners out, visited the Desert Gardens' Luminaries and attended spring training games, but there's still a lot of time to fill between these events.  Much to look forward to as well.

Today I found myself on the brink of depression. I was swearing at my opponent on my Kindle Fire Scrabble game, was totally indifferent to any Sudoku puzzle and was very annoyed with my Spider Solitaire game, which I seldom win.  Realizing I had to do something else with at least some of my time, I sprang forth from my leather recliner and marched purposefully out the door and down the block to Dillard's, located in my neighborhood shopping mall. Three blocks later I reached the traffic light on that busy street that I've always driven on or across, punched the pedestrian button and walked across the street, where I found it interesting that there was no sidewalk, just a surprisingly empty portion of the Mall parking lot, 

At Dillard's I browsed the shoe department, bought some socks, then rode the escalator upstairs where things were eerily quiet for the week before Christmas.  Reviewed the kitchen gadget department. Did you know you can buy gadgets that prepare two grilled sandwiches at the same time and another gadget that makes quesadillas?  Lots of one cup coffee makers there as well.  So many gadgets to fill the empty cupboards of the truly trendy set.  I visited with a delightful American woman who lives in the Netherlands, but is here for the holidays.  She told me the Netherlands is the most successful free enterprise country in the world because they realize the importance of taking care of all their people.  

Then I visited with an employee named Roxanne, who moved here from Minnesota after her husband died.   We discussed families and our situations.  She suggested I might join a Singles group at a church, perhaps a Bible Study group.  I don't think so, but she did assure me such a group would probably accept me even though I'm "getting on in years" (my words).  There were no interruptions and we could have gone on for hours, but I was getting hungry.

Finally, I was off to the Paradise Bakery for a sandwich, after which I ventured outdoors and found my way back to my parking lot and intersection and home again.  I bought three pairs of socks and some small gift type items for my cousins and feel so much better for the outing, I'm almost ready to play another game of Scrabble on my Fire. 

No ouch anymore

Today's milestone was the realization that I no longer say "ouch" when I get into or out of the car.  Yes!! I've been noticing the teeny, tiny improvements every day for the past two and a half months.  Today I realize that I hardly think of the old hip joint at all.  Not totally healed, but damned close.  Hip surgery is miraculous.  To enjoy walking and feeling better the more I do is priceless.  To anyone knowing their joint/s are deteriorating, my advice is to see a specialist and follow his/her good advice.  Don't put it off.  Don't waste time with pain you don't have to bear.  We live in a wonderful time in so many ways.  Yes, I know there are issues.  Take advantage of the good.

Discovery

The other day as I was wasting time at my computer surveying the many treasures of thought I have saved there, I ran across my first efforts at accomplishing my fantasy autobiography.  Aside from the fact the portions of my life that might be even remotely interesting to someone else are about enough to fill a somewhat oversized pamphlet, but never a "book", my humble instincts, of which I have few, have been sufficient to give me pause, lest I plunge headlong into an endeavor that will humiliate me and embarrass others.   Still, I've begun to contemplate ways in which to enhance the effort.

Running across the beginning efforts, however, I was pleasantly surprised to find that I actually enjoyed reading some of the material.  Not to sound too self impressed, I will say I thought it was actually rather well written.  I am, therefore, reconsidering the autobiographical possibilities, although I don't quite know how to overcome the other problems -  that there is not that much of interest in my life and that, no matter how clever I think my writing is, few others would find it worth reading.  Still, I need a project and a goal.  Maybe writing about myself, since no one wants to hear me talking about myself, might be the way to go.  After all, no one really will be forced to read it.

Oh what a beautiful Monday Morning!

Settling in for my winter sojourn in my warm place, I've now been here long enough to do laundry - As my washing was merrily rolling along in its ecologically correct, chemically free detergent (not relevant, but "points" for me nevertheless), I noticed a small rivlet of water finding its way across the tile floor and under the garage door. 

Thoughts that struck me as I put down a couple of large "shamwows" - you know, those magic synthetic chamois that we hear about at the State Fair, dog shows and occasionally on QVC channels.  First, I considered the two nice, thick, cushy towels that were going to be left, along with other clothes, all soapy and soggy in the bottom of the washer, and reconsidered my mother's lifestyle.  She always kept and continued using smaller towels with a minimum of "plush".  Most people throw those away and, like me, buy larger,plush towels.  I may have to reconsider.  As something was clearly leaking, I felt that running the spin cycle was probably not wise. 

I thought also of my mother's wisdom in that, up until she broke her hip at age 97, she always washed clothes using a Maytag ringer washer.  I so could have used that ringer.  Squeezing those huge, thick bathtowels to transfer them to the sink to rinse them and then transfer them outside to hang over the patio chairs is almost more than an old girl can handle. 

I discovered, after a careful sifting through the dozens of receipts and other papers here that I have an unexpired warranty on the washer.  A phone call to Sears yielded a person who took down the information, then said please hold, after which I heard crackles of static of the kind with which we who use cell phones are only too familier.  So, I hung up and called  the number again only to be informed by automated recording that I was scheduled for a service call on Thursday between 1 and 6.  If that were not convenient, I have no idea what I would do, as there was no option to reach a human person and discuss the matter. 

As of now, I am still mopping up the water and the things I could ring out are in the dryer, while the sweatshirt and large bath towels are hanging on the patio.  It's raining in Phoenix - through tomorrow, as I understand it.  Timing is everything.

A bright spot

Seeking my car in the parking lot, I realized it was being hidden by a huge, black Cadillac Escalade SUV.  Mulling negative thoughts about that disgusting vehicle, the guy about to get into it spoke to me about our president and chanted "Four more years! Four more years!" and I realized he was responding to my 2012 Obama window sticker. He then added "he's the smartest president we've ever had", to which I heartily agreed. After a couple more agreeable comments between us, we both drove away. I smiled all the way home.

I'm really not intentionally competing

Good thing too! I have said many times, "I can't complain", because indeed I seem to be surrounded by folks in worse shape than I am in any one of the two or fewer areas where I'm not 100%. 
I also can't brag.  I tried, but alas, I'm way outdone there too.  Mentioned to a neighbor a couple blocks down that my robin babies seemed to be about to fly away.  Oh yes, she said, "My robins left the nest a long time ago, then we had a nest of mourning doves, and now that they've left, we have a nest of finches.  We sit on our patio and watch them.  They all use the same nest."  "Ah," said I, "That's so fun." And I hunched my shoulders and slithered home to attend to my measly nest of four robins, definitely less smug in my adventure with nature.  I thought later that I should have asked her not to produce so many mourning doves, as they winter in Phoenix (some of them) and eat up my grass seed.

My Lenten discipline and thoughts of home

I am impressed by some of my friends' Lenten disciplines.  One Trinity choir member is posting a daily comment on something for which he is thankful.  That's a blessing for him and all his friends.  One St. Paul's choir member has given up Facebook.  I miss her posts, so that's a sacrifice for both of us. 

My most recent course in obtaining my long overdue education is entitled "Why Evil Exists."  Inevitably this course had to mention the overwhelming evil of the Holocaust, which was used illustratively in the lecture I heard today.  I chose also to listen to some of Rev. Marlene's sermons and hit upon the sermon from this time last year, which was, it turns out, Palm Sunday.  The sermon from that day was as powerful a Palm Sunday sermon as I have ever heard, and yes, she mentioned the Holocaust.  I'm so grateful that these sermons are available any time and all the time. 

I just glanced at my Minnesota calendar and, behold! The picture of the month is of the tulips in bloom at the Arboretum.  It is really time for me to come home.  Just three weeks from today I shall begin that journey.  I need outings, and there's so much to see and do in Minnesota in the spring, summer and fall. 

Miracle cure

The ad was very positive about a "breakthrough" combination of natural herbs and remedies that would free me  from the pain of arthritis, a malady from which I suffer more and more these days.  So, since the world wide web provides us such great opportunities to gather information before deciding, I googled the name of this instasomethingorother to see just what it is known to contain.  There were, of course, the usual glucosamene, chondroitin and MSM, to which were added a number of obscure ingredients which presumably added to the effectiveness of the same old stuff. 

Not to be accused of giving up too soon, I searched out an independent review of the effectiveness of this remedy.  The Internet is a wonderful resource, since even though I am strongly motivated to find something to relieve my relatively minor discomfort, the first objective article I found confirmed that this stuff is pretty much the same old stuff, except that it is much more expensive, and being marketed aggressively in spite of or perhaps because of  its unproven value.  Why, it didn't even contain bifeda regularis.  If you want to know more about that, just ask me. 

I'm back to grumbling to my dogs about my sore knees, hips and lower back, while biting my tongue to avoid complaining to those with whom I socialize and hope to keep as friends.   The wagon may be gone, but the medicine man lives on.

My Days in the Sun

I have been listening to college courses on such subjects as how to write complex sentences, U.S. History and now Comparative Religions.  I'm enjoying these courses, although the section on U.S. History that presented the women's movement in the 60's and 70's was disappointing, and the discussion of sentences in which the professor mispronounced the word was distracting.  Still, overall, I'm learning or relearning things I find interesting.  Today I was pleased to hear the professor in my Comparative Religions course speak of the important work in this area being done by Karen Armstrong and Diana Eck.  Some of you may recall that both of these persons were part of my brief foray into presenting speakers at St. Paul's.  I feel so proud to have met them.

Listening to these very interesting speakers every time I get into my car for even the shortest of errands keeps my mind from rotting any more than necessary.  I expect to immerse myself in a course on Listening to Classical Music for my drive home at the end of April, and meanwhile I'm looking at a course entitled Why Evil Exists, followed by a History of Christian Theology.   Keeping my mind active absorbing or attempting to absorb information that is not part of an outrageous new political movement, or new international disaster or another war front helps improve my perspective on life significantly.

I often then find myself able to catch parts of a number of interesting sports at the parks where I walk the dogs.  Saturdays I get glimpses of Little League games, soccer games, lacrosse, cricket, football and, occasionally, Frisbee golf.  I realize that but for having interviewed Charles Peterson for our St. Paul's Messenger, I wouldn't even know the game they are playing is cricket.  Belonging to St. Paul's has taught me more than I sometimes realize.

There are at least three very nice parks near my home here where I can walk the dogs and enjoy watching the activities.  Phoenix is really not a bad place to be, all things considered.

My home town

Just learned that my home town is in the girl's state basketball tournament and won their first game in their division.  Good for them!  I used to play basketball, and we were proud that we made it to the finals of the sectional, but we never made it to the state event.  We did, however, attend the state tournament in Des Moines, where some of us looked old enough to buy a beer - and did.  The lure of the bid city and its evil ways.  Of course, I've been totally law abiding since then.

Odebolt's excellent web site is worth a look and is linked at the left.  From humble roots . . . .

Troubling news

Being from a state which eliminated capital punishment years ago, I was troubled in the past week or so as the  media reported, calmly and without any sense of momentousness, that someone has recently been executed and another person has just been sentenced to death after conviction of an admittedly horrendous crime.  Does anyone take such decisions lightly?  I've never lived in a state where the law commits legal murder.  Somehow it doesn't feel right.

This is also the state where the legislature is considering legislation to establish a "state gun".  Then I listen to Reverend Marlene's sermons on Jesus' Sermon on the Mount and wonder anew how we can consider ourselves to be a Christian nation.

Nostalgic afternoon

Today I took some time to listen to the sermons of Rev Marlene Jacobs, St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Minneapolis.  That's my home parish, and Rev. Marlene's ability to zone in on the essential lesson she is making in a period of 8-10 minutes is outstanding.  What a joy to be able to listen to these.  I've put a link to them on my list.  Check it out.

The lunatic fringe

Is the majority in the Arizona legislature and governor's office.  It's almost surreal.  They are passing legislation that deletes all requirements that their citizens comply with federal laws and regulations.  This inspired bit of nastiness is intended to make it illegal for illegal immigrants, or those who can't prove that they are legal immigrants, to drive cars, get medical care, send their kids to school and who knows what else.  Police also arrested and detained two immigration advocates pretty much for having the temerity to enter the State Capitol, a building that should be public.  The governor and/or the legislature have ruled that public funding will not be available for the uninsured residents who need transplant surgery.  Phoenix is hosting the Tea Party's national convention this weekend, which is ok, I suppose, and the Tea Party will be right at home here.  And I think I heard that Phoenix is also hosting a UFO convention.  Actually, it seems Phoenix may be the leader in UFO sightings, but I haven't check that out.  All of this nonsense is going on while the state labors under a 6.5 million dollar deficit, and I have found no legislative initiative that looks to creating jobs or reducing that deficit. 

The sacrifices I have to make to avoid Minnesota winters may be more than I can handle on a continuing basis. 

Quirky coincidences

A couple weeks ago I transcribed one of my December interviews for my Spotlight on Members column in my church newsletter, and was interested to hear my subject mention Thomas Jefferson's 1800 revolution, not a common event in day to day conversation.  Yet just that day, this historic event was the subject of  my American history lecture, which I am listening to when I drive.  A quirky coincidence, I thought.

Today I read that a new dollar coin is coming out honoring our 17th U.S. president, and, guess what.  That is  the subject of the section of American history I listened to in yesterday evening's lecture.  Now how about that?
Quirky coincidences!  This is my reward for paying attention. 

So do you know who our 17th president was?  Hint: He succeeded Abraham Lincoln after his assassination.  And to think I hated history in high school.

Health Scare? Really?

From the February 11, 2011, issue of The Week:

Health scare of the week: Sleeping with your pet

Experts suspect up to several million cases of zoonotic diseases—those passed from animals to humans—may occur every year.

More than half of American pet owners sleep with their furry companions, and that can be a big mistake. A new University of California study warns that such close contact can transmit serious illnesses from pet to caretaker, including meningitis, worms, and (through fleas) even the bubonic plague. Experts suspect up to several million cases of zoonotic diseases—those passed from animals to humans—may occur every year, ranging from skin conditions like ringworm to life-threatening ailments such as staph infections. While pets provide a lot of comfort and can reduce stress, researchers say, they are animals and can carry potentially dangerous bacteria, parasites, and bugs. Researcher  Bruno Chomel tells HealthDay.com that it’s not wise to let pets lick you on the mouth, and recommends hand-washing whenever you’ve been handling them. “Having a pet in the bed is not a good idea,” he said.

 Anyone willing to bet that this scared me?  I have been sleeping with dogs, the four legged furry kind, for probably 45-50 years.  And I have never had meningitis, worms or the bubonic plague.  Where in hell does this big scare come from.  Anyone read of any cases of bubonic plague within the last 40 years?  

Really now, if I don't sleep with my dogs, where in the world am I expected to sleep.  They, after all, own the bedroom and the bed.  The key words in this scary headline are "suspect" and "may".  Some people "suspect" that  the world "may" have been created in seven 24-hour days.  

I will concede that it is wise to wash your hands before handling food, etc., but who doesn't do that anyway?  

My Oranges are sweet

I have a childhood memory of standing around the wastebasket in our kitchen while mother peeled oranges and shared them with us.  I recall one evening when we simply couldn't get enough oranges, and, as I recall, she just kept peeling until we had our fill.   I'm now thinking they must have been oranges from a tree very much like the one in my Phoenix back yard.

My orange tree has survived two bouts with consecutive morning freezes, and the fruit is still remarkably sweet and delicious.  I just peeled and ate one, thinking of my mother, and have prepared juice from several others, some of which I am now enjoying with a nice added shot of vodka.

Phoenix is certainly colder than I expected, and we're in our second bout, but if my oranges are still sweet and edible and there is no snow on the ground, I think I'll make it through another winter here just fine.

Contrasting Governors

The governor of Arizona, Jan Brewer, has been happily announcing that she plans to save a few million dollars towards the Arizona billions of deficit, by dumping about 280,000 of the poorest and neediest from medicaid rolls.  The savings will be a drop in the large leaky bucket of the state's spending.

The governor of Minnesota, Mark Dayton, has announced that he'd like to borrow a billion dollars to boost our state's employment by around 28,000 and accomplish a number of projects that will improve our state and our quality of life.  Yes, Minnesota also has a deficit of billions, 6.5 billion as I recall.

My question to Ms. Brewer: How many jobs will you create by dumping these poor and needy folks from Medicaid rolls?  How much are you willing to spend beyond your expected savings from this move towards the emergency care and treatment some of these people will need because they didn't have the early medical intervention that might have prevented emergencies?  Bottom line, why do some politicians continue to seek budget balance by snatching the safety nets of the poor?   The savings are really so nominal that the net effect is simply to punish the neediest and make hardly a dent in the deficit.

Borrowing a billion dollars may sound like a bad idea, but generating revenue, improving our intrastructure  and putting people to work are very good ideas.  And with interest rates at an all time low, borrowing now is much less expensive than when interest rates rebound to their previous or some future higher rate.  It's a gutsy and far sighted move by our new governor.

Michelle wrote to me

I just checked my exciting email message from Michelle Obama.  She's thrilled to be going to Charlotte, North Carolina, for the democratic convention next year.  Now really, Michelle, why do you think I would share your excitement about that.  We invited you to Minneapolis and now see that you have turned us down.  I'm not thrilled at all. Phooey!

Dog lovers understand

Years ago I had a Boston Terrier, whose name was Fred, who would not give kisses, never, not once in his thirteen years with me.  I had almost despaired of receiving any show of affection from my YoYo, until today, when she startled me by showering me with gentle kisses, an experience slightly marred by her enthusiastic scratching at my face with her front paws. 

Practicing my cumulative syntax skills again.

Writing under supervision

I have been writing under a new form of supervision, which consists of Gracie standing for hours on the wrap-around desk beside me, watching me, and sending mental messages that it is time for her daily walk in the park. 
This note is a practice exercise for me in the use of cumulative syntax, which is lesson six in my Great Courses series on Building Great Sentences, published by The Teaching Company, and taught by Professor Brooks Landon of the University of Iowa, who drives me crazy because he pronounces "sentences", a frequently used word in such a course, as sen-en-ses.  Discussion includes detailed definitions which, it seems to me, in an educated adult should be intuitive.  Still as I write this comment on my experience, I find myself looking more closely at my sentences for clarity on what I wish to convey.  Perhaps I'm learning something in spite of myself.