My Week

Early Wednesday Morning, little Miss Sophie started barking about 3:30AM.  Apparently an empty bin that was stacked on my back porch had fallen and she was barking at it.  Then she went in the dark yard and barked at the shadows...at least that's what it seamed like to me.  This happens often when I walk in the dark.  She barked at a child's toy car left on a lawn.  Well now that Sophie is a therapy dog and I a Civil War reenactor, I've decided to combine our interest.  I've ordered her a Civil War nurse outfit that will look something like this:

It is coming from "Dogs of Gettysburg".

After exercise on Wednesday, our Silver Sneakers group went for coffee.  They used to do this monthly to celebrate birthdays but didn't get around to doing so in August.
 Friday, I just got back from the Villas of Hollybrook and sat there with Sophie over an hour while the activity director painted nails.  Well I got my sheet signed for the visit.

When I have 50 visits, Sophie and I graduate from TDI associate to TDI active.

I have a regular visit with the seniors at Reflections on Tuesday and Thursday at 2. 

I think I'll pick up by visiting an old WW2 Vet at Regency instead.  It is a little farther but I know him as a member of our Catholic War Veterans.

Saturday evening I went to Auburn for the "Light up the Cemetery Walk" fundraiser to help maintain the old Wimmer cemetery.  Everyone liked my presentation and I was the only one that did not read the script given.  I had to do research on my character to make sure the pieces fit into place.  They didn't when I made a timeline so I adjusted the script accordingly.

I'm glad I brought my bistro set.  I offered the spare chair to a guest with a cane.

 Here's the video.  I am embarrassed about saying 1818 instead of 1918 but I didn't do that in all performances that evening.  Too much Civil War reenacting puts me in the wrong century.  However, the other performances would skip something else anyway.  That's the risk of being extemporaneous.

Or: https://youtu.be/vSpSvlVXeeI
The above were taken by a photographer but this one was taken by me on my self timer sitting on a headstone:

Here's a link to my script:
http://ivetret.blogspot.com/2015/08/wimmer-cemetery-walk-on-september-26.html

Here is a link to Mr Jenkins portrayal by Tom Little.  Eliza Jane Turner was portrayed by Helen Lawyer.  Penrod Vancil was portrayed by Clay.  Jacob Henry Shutt was portrayed by Mark Johnson.  I give credit to the performers because I'll forget all their names for what I consider a one-time gig (fingers crossed).  I didn't know anybody in the Wimmer Cemetery Association except the president, Jan Gray, who was formerly on the board of the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight.  I did not know any of their relatives or have any connections but I support their efforts to upkeep the cemetery.  How often I have heard/read that there is an old neglected cemetery and somebody should do something about it.  I can't do it all so I hope the donations will help maintain the mowers that cut the grass and the repair of the stones.  There was a lot of competition for visitors that night to our event like the Route 66 Mother Road Festival and high school sports.

After a week of the Pope's visit and reading positive and negative comments on Facebook, Sunday's readings should be directed to all all the naysayers that feel their preaching is right and Catholics are flawed.

"Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp, "
Joshua, son of Nun, who from his youth had been Moses’ aide, said,
"Moses, my lord, stop them."
But Moses answered him,
"Are you jealous for my sake?
Would that all the people of the LORD were prophets!
Would that the LORD might bestow his spirit on them all!"  Nm 11:25-29

and

At that time, John said to Jesus,
"Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name,
and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us."
Jesus replied, "Do not prevent him.
There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name
who can at the same time speak ill of me. Mk 9:38-43, 45, 47-48
audio scripture here:
http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/15_09_27.mp3

The moral is: don't knock someone doing the right thing.  I heard others complain about the church and "sharing the wealth".   How do share something that is priceless like the art in the Vatican museum?  Do you sell it to help the poor which will solve the poor's problems for a limited time?  Do you destroy art like the Taliban has done thereby destroying history?  These people do not understand that time accumulates the appearance of wealth.  This pope has been living a humble life and it's not enough for people to stop complaining.  We are a sad people when knock the humble strides forward.  Jesus said "The poor will be with you always" Matthew 26:11
\RaNt

Sunday evening I walked Sophie during the lunar eclipse.  Once the moon was fully darkened by the earth's shadow, clouds came in.  I watched the news and the clouds got worse.  There was a brief opening in the clouds going by to see the crescent  on the opposite side as the eclipse was reversing.

Our Monday morning exercise group is growing. There were not enough TRX cables for all so I started cycling on the Cybex till someone left early and gave me theirs.  Soon, some will become snow birds and space will free up.

I caught another squirrel. The neighbors that loaned their torches for the evening cemetery walk have a bucket of corn for squirrels in their garage.  We are working against each other.  Well, I'm deporting HIM to the other side of the interstate.  He'll get run over if this one tries to come back.  Oh there's plenty more here.  I see squirrels dancing and courting in the street.

Now to look forward to my hearing test,  the Murder Mystery dinner and plan out all the places that are showing Rocky Horror in October.

My Week

Boy, I really need to get some new envelopes. They are all sealed and I have to pry and tear to get them opened. What must my soldiers think when they get a letter that appears resealed?

Tuesday I had two therapy dog visits at 2 nearby assisted living homes:  Villas of Hollybrook and Reflections assisted living.   I made a mistake on the Villas and got confused of our appointment by 1/2 hour.  You see, I had zumba gold at 10:30 to 11:15 thinking my appointment with the Villas was at 11:30 but it was at 11.  Opps.  I wasn't sure if I could make it to Reflections because Ken the handyman fixed my bathroom vanity's bottom that had been water damaged.  I'd been waiting for him for about 2 1/2 weeks but he was busy too.  Fortunately he was done in time for me to take Sophie to Reflections at 2PM.  Sophie did so well and I was proud of her.  One lady sang to Sophie a "Bessie the heifer the queen of all the cows" Song.   Somehow the name, Sophie, made her think of Bessie.


I had a very receptive crowd at the South Side Christian Church for my presentation of Belle Reynolds at their luncheon.  I was rewarded with a stuffed baked potato lunch.  I offered them to ask questions but warned of my hearing problem and I'd have to be up close.  Afterward I changed so I could look for a shelf for under my newly fixed bathroom sink.  I went to Lowes, Menards and Ace Hardware and didn't see anything without excess construction.  I looked online after checking my mail when I got home and had a flyer from Bed Bath and Beyond.   They sure did. 
I put 2 coats of white paint on my bathroom vanity floor before nightfall.

Then I went to a planning meeting for Lana's benefit.  

Thursday morning after yoga, I took Sophie to the Villas of Hollybrook.   In the afternoon we visited at Reflections and the manager and I finally met.  He made a copy of my...err...Sophie's ID card.  This time the singing lady sang "you put the lime in the coconut" song to Sophie.
I came home and fixed chicken and rice.  In the evening I had practice for the Murder Mystery Dinner.

Friday evening I went to the Railsplitters Ball in Lincoln, IL.

 Below with Larry Peetz.

 Below with Larry Hackman:

Other photos can be found here: http://www.newheraldnews.com/19916/s/railsplitting-festival-weekend

It poured hard on my way home.  So bad that I had to slow to 40 MPH on the interstate.  Many that chose to keep on driving in the storm had emergency flashers like myself.  When I got home, the roads were dry.  I walked my dog under stars while seeing thunderstorms to the north.

Saturday I went to the State of Illinois Amvets School of Instruction.  I won a door prize in the afternoon break out session ~ a car care gift pack. After the meeting portion of the day was over, there was a break before the picnic.  I knew parking would be a little tight at AMVETS HQ and that most would catch a shuttle bus from the hotel to the headquarters where the picnic was held.  I came home and let Sophie out and came back on my little motorcycle to save space.

I had the chance to pay my $12 dues for the AMVETS Riders while there.

I watched a movie on EWTN about Padre Pio but you can also watch this online here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOdHZiuKq68

Sunday I prepared lunch for Sean and myself.  I made Italian sausage and red beans and rice.  Sean asked me if I could hear my TV and after having him repeat the question, I nodded yes.  Then he asked me if I could hear that the TV sound was in Spanish.  I said no it's English, see the sub-titles in the closed caption?  As I got close to the TV, I heard Spanish.  I must have messed with something when I found the closed caption menu.

Monday morning I got up early to drop Sophie off at "Bubbles of Fun".  After dropping her off I went to my exercise group and came home to wait for a call when she was done.  It felt weird coming through my door and not having her there to greet me.  She smelled nice.  I made her next appointment for Nov 2d.

Tuesday morning I had a 10:30 free hearing appointment with Audible.  She tested then showed me sample hearing aids that were adjusted via wifi from her computer.  It made a difference.  Not the aids are about $5K.  I do have an appointment with an audiologist on Oct 9th and she said that she would only release the results to another audiologist.  TRICARE doesn't cover this.  Yes, I did file a claim but that could take forever.   I have a 3:30 meet at Sam's Club who also does free tests.   I do not have a membership there so I met with Mary who does have a membership.  At least Sam's will provide a copy of the results to me.

Since a elderly man busted in on my 3:30 appointment for an apparent adjustment that was supposed to last 10 minutes, I didn't get tested until about an hour later.   I didn't leave Sam's till 5:30 making it tight for my rehearsal at Auburn Cemetery. I have to thank Mary for letting me in Sams with her membership.  She was a nurse and had conducted these hearing tests before she retired.  I couldn't have asked a better person to accompany me on this test.  She knew what was going on without upstaging Mike doing the test.

I asked a lot of questions including one about being able to stand on your head or do "down dog". with hearing aids.  I asked the difference between and audiologist and ENT specialist.   Then there could be a need for an MRI to see if the bones in the ear are a medical condition because of the sudden loss of hearing.  I'm down about 60% loss.

The rehearsal in Auburn went well and I was the only one that didn't read from a paper script.   This is amazing since I am trying to memorize 2 scripts for the next 2 weeks.  I don't know how real actors can do it.  There were a lot of mosquitoes there so I'll have to remember to bring spray.  There was also the scent of a skunk near the rural cemetery.  Ewww!  By Saturday, we should have a brighter moon, just shy of a full moon. 

My Week

Last week I lost my hearing the day after Sunday's sermon about healing the deaf.  Isaiah 35: 4-7 and Mark 7:31-37.   What does this mean to me?  Well I've watched less TV and no radio.  I'm missing a lot on the news.  I have an appointment 10:30 on 22d with the free hearing ck on Monroe that wants to sell hearing aids. I have an audiologist appointment on Oct 9th at Memorial (out of pocket). Monday I made a claim with the VA for hearing loss and tinnitus.

Thursday I took Sophie on her first therapy dog visit to Reflections Memory Care here in Chatham and Sophie and I were well received.   The place is newly opened less than a year ago and has 25 residents (35 slots available I believe she said).  Kristin is the activities director and her assistant told me they had just discussed a desire for a therapy dog recently.  Whoo Hoo and so close to home.  Sophie and I met with six residents outside.  She was well received and Sophie was only disinterested in one lady (or exhausted from all the petting).  But I also saw a miracle on the other spectrum.  A WW2 Vet was there with his daughter who said he wouldn't be interested while at the same time the man's hand reached for Sophie.  I put a lap pad down and he gently petted her to the surprise of the man's daughter.

I watched the video that came with the kit before going and did my best.  I added Reflections Assisted Living center to the TDI website.   Kristin signed a visit record.  I'd like to do this on Tues and Thur. The other facility nearby was inquired and their activity director stepped out for an appointment but we exchanged phone numbers with the clerk who seemed really really interested to see Sophie return.

I found a dead squirrel in my live trap Thursday morning. I hadn't checked it the day before. I used a stray corn cob that had been planted in my yard by the squirrels from last year. I reset it before going to the nursing home and Pets Mart. When I got back there was a live one in the trap and I didn't know what to do.  Ah ha!  Dump it somewhere else.  So on the way to my meetings, I let HIM (I know it was a he squirrel)  out at the Road Ranger field across from Golden Corral.  Friday I caught another little girl.  I was about to do the same but as I picked up the trap, the back opened because the pin wasn't secure.  Now that squirrel has a PHD about trapology.  Then I caught another girl but this time I let her loose. I took 'her' out to the cell tower on New City Rd. Both would have to cross interstates in order to come back here. I ain't done.  There's a squirrel unaccounted for I see burying nuts for winter.

Thursday afternoon I pulled pork for our Hog Roast benefit for Honor Flight.  I had 3 meetings that evening:  Lincoln Monument Association at 5, Practice meeting for the Murder Mystery Dinner at Edwards Place, and Catholic War Veterans.

I still smelled pork on my fingers during the last meeting even with wearing gloves.
Friday I was getting ready for exercise class and pulled out a brand new pair of patriotic socks that I had never worn because they wouldn't show under boots. Then I said to myself, "it's Patriot Day". I have patriotic shorts and tee. What a way to start Patriot Day. 
Afterward I went to see Kathy to help transfer a patch to a jacket for Catholic War Veterans.  She can't do it with Parkinson's.  Later I decorated the hall for the hog roast with all the patriotic decorations that I had in my stash.  I also added my tee shirt and cap from being a guardian as part of the decor/atmosphere.

Saturday I went to the Pets in the White House.  We got a little bag of goodies and I saw another brown Pekingese.  I dressed Sophie in patriotic shirt and I in mine. 

 There's a photo gallery of the event here:  http://www.sj-r.com/photogallery/LS/20150912/NEWS/912009998/PH/1

I really enjoyed seeing all the like-minded dogs and owners. To think that they loved their dog as much as I love my Sophie then there was a lot of love in Union Square.

Sunday I went to Mass with the Catholic War Veterans and afterward we had breakfast.  Our CWV commander mentioned that Staab Funeral Home may need me part time with funerals.  We'll see if I get a job.

This week is assisted living week.  I'll be taking Sophie to the Villas of Hollybrook on Tuesday at 11.  I'm expecting the handy man to come fix my vanity floor that was water damaged Tuesday afternoon. 

This coming Wednesday, I'll be portraying Belle Reynolds for South Side Christian Church.  Hope it all goes well with 2 other scripts running in my head for the Murder Mystery Dinner and the Wimmer Cemetery Walk later in the month.
http://southsidechristian.com/events/senior-citizen-luncheon 

My Week

The corn is being harvested!  The weather is hot.  This is great weather to scrub the siding on the house and any splash back is appreciated.  I'm doing a little at a time/day.

Wednesday I went to exercise, shop and had lunch with Michael.  He paid my lunch and gave me a birthday card and chocolate.  Yum.
While shopping, I realized I needed more minutes on my Tracfone so I stopped by Walmart.  I also needed some office supplies for organizing my files (folder tabs). I don't shop Walmart often. Last time I was there was April when I bought my Tracfone. 

Thursday evening we had practice for the Murder Mystery. 
Friday I paid my utility bill on the way to the Old State Capitol.  I asked about the senior discount and was told 62 and no other working members in the household.  That would be me over the weekend so I filled out the form.  Old State Capitol sure needed me.  They had a staff meeting and I was the only one on the floor for about and hour and many visitors.  I was spread pretty thin.

I went to see The Adams Family musical Saturday night, the eve of my birthday. (͠≖ ͜ʖ͠≖)👌 Uncle Fester took a selfie before returning from the intermission.

I see that the Hoogland Center will also be having Rocky Horror again.

• Thu Oct 29, 2015 | 8:00PM
• Fri Oct 30, 2015 | 8:00PM
• Fri Oct 30, 2015 | 11:59PM
• Sat Oct 31, 2015 | 8:00PM
• Sat Oct 31, 2015 | 11:59PM

 At Mass I signed in to assist as a Eucaristic Minister since they didn't want to schedule during the holiday weekend.  I showed Fr Manny my birthday button.  He asked my name and later mentioned wishing me a happy birthday in front of the congregation.  Mary Alice (in the choir) came to wish me a happy birthday after Mass and said she tried to signal the director to sing for me but couldn't get his attention.  Whew! That would have been over-kill anyway.
I got a nice breathable patriotic shirt from my sister.  I got to open the present while on Skype with her.  I also opened my other sister's gift ~ briefs.  I got money from my brother.  I got an apron from my sister, also opened via Skype. My sons gave me a new set of towels, gun cleaning kit and a cover for my air conditioner. Thank you all!  My sons and I went to Indigo, an upscale restaurant and then we saw the movie "Train wreck".  I had 156 friends wish me a happy birthday on Facebook.

I hardly slept with Hank jumping on my be on and off all night then he started chewing one of my spools of thread.  In the middle of the night, I opened my back door hoping he'd have free range to the back yard all night.  He still kept me awake. 
In the morning we went to the Lefthanders Gun Club Range. I wanted to practice my self protection with my Nano.  I was frustrated that the nano had more than a few failures to eject shell casings. My sons knew the importance of order of choice so I shot the M4 first.  Saves on ripping up our target too much.

I tried Sean's new practice pistol, Ruggar Target light.  Easy. The last rifle I tried blew the target off the mount ~ Mossberg 500.

I can't hear after going to the Lefthanders Gun Club with my sons yesterday.  Yes I had ear protection but I think my earrings left a gap.  Hope this gets better like a bad concert or something.

I enjoyed the time with my sons but they spent too much money on me.  I got a gun cleaning kit, new set of navy blue towels, scented Burt's Bees Eucalyptus Mint candle, shower soap, air conditioner cover, expensive dinner and a movie.  I love the time most.

There was no exercise class on Monday due to the holiday.  Tuesday I really needed to get caught up and work off all the birthday cake.

Tuesday the mail finally arrived and I got my kit from "Therapy Dog International" and Sophie is a Therapy Dog and I an Associate Member (as her handler). Now I believe we can try to make a miracle.    I have some rules to read and contacts to make now.

***I can keep a secret.  It's just the friends that I tell it to can't. *******