Fall is upon us and leaves are changing. Wind is bringing down the leaves and burs are gathering in Sophie's fur. Sophie seems to look forward to her bath because 1) it takes away the nasty burrs that get stuck in her fur and 2) she knows she's going on a TDI "visit". There's a lady that sings to her. This time she sang "
We Love You Conrad, Oh yes we do"
Wednesday I missed exercise to pay honors at Camp Butler for the semi-annual unaccompanied burial ceremony. The Patriot Guard Riders were in attendance but short a flag so I gave up mine. Besides, getting over a cold, I'm most likely one to fall out.
I had lunch with Michael as usual and noticed Eddie Long and the director of
IL Veterans Affairs,
Erica Jeffries, sit down at the next table. So I had to say
hello. I did a little shopping and then got ready for the Chatham High
School's Homecoming parade for which the Legion did the color guard. Some applauded but I think the applauded because the parade had started when they saw the colors. Others acted more patriotic-like.
I held the POW flag and our Post command held the American Flag.
Thursday there were only 2 seniors that showed up for our Yoga
class. In the afternoon I went on my therapy dog visit. It was
rewarding once again. My hearing impairment seems to help me keep
confidentiality to TDI and HIPA rules. However, I can feel the
connections a dog makes to a residents' day has meaning.
In the evening I went to
a meeting for the Lincoln Monument Association at 5PM followed by a
Catholic War Veterans meeting at 7PM.
Here I'm about to let some residents get some "hands-on" therapy with Sophie. This was posted on the TDI Facebook page with the sign photoshopped out for privacy. I was concerned because of an email about new associates not wearing the dog scarf right.
Friday I had my long awaited appointment with the audiologist at Springfield Clinic. I have
significant hearing loss. Duh! That's what I've been sayin'. I am on
steroids to see if the hearing chart goes up before the inevitable need
for hearing aids. I have a follow up appointment Oct 30th. I need my
potassium to go with the steroids. I hope the steroids don't make me have muscles (in all the wrong places). Here's a funny clip from facebook that was shared.
Well she said she would share it under my quote because she has the same difficulty but that's a very personal quote pertaining to me.
I caught and released my 4th squirrel. Always somewhere where it would have to cross the interstate to return.
Nice finds at ALDI today, Cinnamon apple cheese and Halloween wine. By the way, I went in for the potassium rich bananas to go with those steroids.
Saturday morning, Sophie made a bolt from the front door in the morning as I tossed out recycles. I chased her using all the commands we learned in training. She was in play mode until she stopped to pee then I gave her the down command and got her. Remedial training required apparently.
I had a picnic with Pam and Gary Siegler (
POW). Pam wanted to meet the famous Sophie therapy dog extraordinaire and the park picnic was perfect. I made chili and she brought a much bigger array of goodies including her pumpkin cakes. I showed them my husband's brick in the square. While there, Gary got a call for a request for another veterans event appearance. I think he had to turn it down. I looked at him and said he had a lot of fans. I then nodded over toward Pam saying she was the first fan. Gary is not much for conversation but I saw the look that he knew I was right about that.
Sunday morning I went to a Memorial Mass with the Catholic War Veterans. There were only 4 of us but one was Charlie, a 92 year old WW2 veteran, away from the Regency nursing home that he lives. Our commander had permission from his son for his release. It was great to see him. He's a real sweetie. Although I couldn't hear much, I knew we were warmly welcomed and in the end, Sister Mary Jean Traeger invited veterans in the congregation to raise their hand. I looked around. They are everywhere. Afterward we had breakfast. I learned that our CWV secretary quit following our Thursday evening meeting. I believe it was over her request for a "personal interest" of $6K donation request to an historic church's need for a refurbished railing that the vote only turned out to be $200. She knew the post had the money if funds were moved around and tried to read by-laws in her favor. All seemed to feel that a large donation to only one parish would detract unfairly to our donations of the specific needs of the parishes hosting our monthly memorial Mass. If there's one thing I learned in life, don't quit a veterans organization when things don't go your way ~ make it happen yourself so you don't have to rely on voting. That way, you won't reduce their membership in this time of dwindling support.
I came home to a quick change for my obligation to help man a fund raising booth at Walmart for Wreaths Across America. I expected the booth set up but I thought I was asked to give the regulars a break and maybe be alone. I brought my giant wreath that's about 4' tall to attract our cause for wreaths at Camp Butler. My experience with the others helping (those that I was there to help with a break because they do it often every Sunday) that people were interested to come to the booth to pet the 3 great danes. I too brought Sophie for the same reason. Although it was a good strategy, I felt that our booth looked more like a pet adoption cause than veterans related. I did have my CWV shirt on with a veteran ball cap but the others didn't give an impression that it's a veterans organization booth.
Monday I made a Colonial pocket from a painter's apron. Not too much is machine made and putting the two sides together was tricky so that thread could go through both pieces. It's worn under the skirt and won't weigh down the hoop. Nice to hold keys.
I've opened an alternative to Youtube. Invite your friends and followers to follow you on Vidme by sharing your profile link:
https://vid.me/ivetret
I haven't loaded any videos as of this post.
