26 April …

I am a day late with this week’s blog.  Yesterday was soooooo full.  But to get back into the swing …

The eye surgery went well in spite of what the professionals call “second eye syndrome”. 

When George had his eyes done the first went splendidly, but he complained he had felt the second one.  I chalked it up to imagination.  Seems I suffer from the same imagination as do enough folks that it is recognized as a “syndrome”.   We asked why they don’t do both eyes at the same time, as they do in Canada, and were told it was because it takes a specially set-up operating room and two surgeons.

Interesting …

The day-after check was good.  I had foggy peripheral vision, a rainbow around the candle flame, and my eyeball felt swollen.  All normal for the day after I was told.

I go for the second check tomorrow.

I am seeing better than I have in years.

I’d like to be wearing glasses to hide the age-induced bags under my eyes, but I now see better without them.  I may have the corrective lens in a couple of pairs replaced with clear lens so my vanity will be sheltered.

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The radio folks are getting busy … what with the middle school classes, the license testing, the upcoming summer events, and the training as SkyWatch weather observers.

At the class this week, Mark ran a simulated health-and-welfare practice. I got to help.  It was role play based on a real event with lost participants, an injured participant, and other twists so the students could get a feel for real radio use.

Then last evening we all attended a session taught by one of the meteorologists in how to report weather to the local NOAA office.  It was review for some of us, but necessary since some reporting parameters have changed.  I am still SY39 (#39 in Siskiyou County).

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I missed the spring work day at the garden at Paul’s school.  Tyler and Tiffany went with Paul instead.  Seems they were the only “family” there.

I’ll have to make sure I am able to go next fall. 

But for now, Spring is still teasing.  We’ve had a few warm (in the 70s) days and the plum has come into bloom.  We expect rain tomorrow and chillier temperatures. 

Oh well …

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Progress on blending the three generation family is progressing slowly.  Life style changes for everyone … especially eating habits and entertainment choices.

I am now dealing with food allergies… gluten (Kamille), lactose (Tyler), and walnuts (Mark) … and just plain dislikes … beans (Paul), meat (Tiffany), and cucumbers (Mark).  In addition, they need a lot of protein.  I will start incorporating TVP into whatever.

Learning never ends.

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Last week Mark got chicks to start the family flock.  It did not go well.  I couldn’t remember George’s routine exactly and we let them get too chilled.  The hardy chicks will be the start and we will go from there.

Learn by failure, right? 

We found George’s livestock manuals, including the ones about poultry, so we now have an edge on learning. 

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The other mishap last week was that I inadvertently poisoned the dog.  

Did you know that onions are poison to dogs?  I didn’t and I put some left over cucumber salsa (which had been prepared to go on broiled salmon) into the dog’s food.  It had a few chopped onions in it.  That was last saturday evening and sunday morning he wouldn’t eat, was listless, and his hind quarters were paralyzed and painful. 

An emergency trip to the vet was inconclusive, but Mark dug into Google and found the information about onions. 

Later sunday (after painkiller pills which made him high), Siku was up and about, romping with Paul.  Had there been more onions he might not have made it.   I don’t think I’ll forget that information soon.

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And to finish this week, a picture of Paul and Tyler’s dog out for a walk which I posted previously on Facebook (Tyler was with them … you can see his shadow in the lower right).

And some good advice …

An Elder once said the most important thing you can do in the course of a day is to pray. If we get up late or oversleep, which is more important? Rush to work without praying or pray first and then go to work? The Elders say it’s more important to pray. If we get angry, should we act on our anger or should we pray first? The Elders say it’s more important to pray first. If, during the day, we face indecision, what should we do? PRAY. If, during the day, we become irritated or we experience fear, what should we do first? PRAY. The Warrior who prays first will lead a different life from those who pray last.

Great Spirit, teach me to pray first!

 

So … ‘til next week …