The sunshine is thin and not too warm but it is there. The breeze brings the wind chill to an uncomfortable level. Thankfully we are not scheduled for snow, and those of you who have snow.... you may keep it!
Food baskets occupied all of last week. I am so tired of boxing canned goods and other nonperishble foods that I could scream. The people who need this food though are so appreciative. We have found only one sour note and much could have caused that situation. We have been called a number of things.........'enablers' so people can spend their food money on less desirable things. Our reply was they probably would have anyway and we are mainly trying to provide food for the children.
The turkey eating day approaches and it has lost so much appeal this year knowing there are so many hungry families. Our dinner is always simple anyway but still there is hot food on the table. And to many it might look like a feast. We have come to know so many more of our neighbors in this project and that is such a blessing.
The local fire department is totally voluntary and there have been many attempts, some very successful to support these men with water, funds, and our appreciation. They recently had a chili lunch on Saturday and raised $2500 for their needs. They have made 76 runs this year and most because of a 'fire bug' that might have already been apprehended.
Because we are an aggricultural region, we have had a number of state agencies working on the investigation and hope this will soon be concluded. It is scary when the trucks go out knowing they might be going to a pasture where many cows are in danger or where precious pasture is being burned off taking the food for those cattle. These farmers are not big farmers and they need all the pasture land they can obtain and maintain for their herds of animals.
May your holiday be filled with joy, may beautiful memories be made, and precious time with friends and relatives be enjoyed. We will be thinking about all of you as we sit in this small prairie town in the southwest corner of Oklahoma. Not even the barbed wire can slow down the wind as it builds and then sweeps down across the land. Showers are forcast and that would be a wonderful thing also. Herkie the youngest of the tom cats that has invaded our household sends his meow along with Lonesome and Goldie. Fuzzy, granny's cat so misses his lady that held him most of the day, but all will have some turkey and a lot of loving on Thursday...Happy Thanksgiving to all of you.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Leaves...............
The breeze carries them across the lawn and dumps them in all the wrong places. I try to gather as many as possible to mulch and cover the plants that are threatened by the coming cold weather.
However, the leaves are much more interesting to the cats--to chase--roll in--and help me rake. I can't help but laugh at the antics and feel the thrill of the coming fall season........the crispness in the air and the scuttling clouds are harbringers of the season.
We have been looking for people who need or would appreciate food baskets for the coming holidays. We thought we had a town that was pretty well taken care of until we began to ask questions. It was easy to find people then. They are so proud that some won't admit that they need help. Our real problem was we didn't know our town's people very well. A neighbor and I drove around talking about different houses and who lived where and who might need a basket.
I finally took the matter in hand and went to visit a couple and when they opened the door I laughed and said I had come for lunch.....she looked startled and said......a cookie? Yep, that was lunch--coffee and a cookie. I chatted a while and then said I didn't want to embarass them but could they use a food basket? "Oooooh yes!" was the reply. I was so saddened that we had waited until the holidays to determine if our neighbors needed help. It occured to me that it is 2 weeks till Thanksgiving....guess they can eat those stale cookies till then.....I have way too much to eat... and my neighbor has way too little. How ashamed I am.
How well do you know your neighbor?
However, the leaves are much more interesting to the cats--to chase--roll in--and help me rake. I can't help but laugh at the antics and feel the thrill of the coming fall season........the crispness in the air and the scuttling clouds are harbringers of the season.
We have been looking for people who need or would appreciate food baskets for the coming holidays. We thought we had a town that was pretty well taken care of until we began to ask questions. It was easy to find people then. They are so proud that some won't admit that they need help. Our real problem was we didn't know our town's people very well. A neighbor and I drove around talking about different houses and who lived where and who might need a basket.
I finally took the matter in hand and went to visit a couple and when they opened the door I laughed and said I had come for lunch.....she looked startled and said......a cookie? Yep, that was lunch--coffee and a cookie. I chatted a while and then said I didn't want to embarass them but could they use a food basket? "Oooooh yes!" was the reply. I was so saddened that we had waited until the holidays to determine if our neighbors needed help. It occured to me that it is 2 weeks till Thanksgiving....guess they can eat those stale cookies till then.....I have way too much to eat... and my neighbor has way too little. How ashamed I am.
How well do you know your neighbor?
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
There was bright sunshine..........
The sunshine wasn't just the weather kind........the day was as good as it gets usually.
We voted and I did so rather rapidly and was glad that I failed to remember how I voted on a rather tight angry contest locally. Glad I don't know how I voted, can't kick myself or brag either! lol
We rushed off to the hospital for lab tests and then were finished for the day. The rest was play time. The neighbor went along and insisted on driving so I let her! We went to lunch at the Atlantic Bread Company. It was a good time, not crowded, and plenty of room for us to move about and Jack to not have his space invaded.
Then we did the Sam's Club deposit of our money! Filled the car with our goodies and started home. Picked up two prescriptions and got home in time to relax awhile. I made a trip to the county seat to buy a few items we could not get this morning and did a little business.
A neighbor brought over some freshly cooked turnips. I don't usually eat turnips but these were delicious. I have such good neighbors. Another neighbor gave me garden fresh summer squash that were just beautiful. Too pretty to eat maybe....maybe put in a still life setting and paint a picture?
Finished Double Cross by Patterson and now have to find another book to read. For my birthday, my daughter sent me exactly what I asked for: all the books she had been reading. In fact she sent 3 boxes of books.
Good night all of you....I am off to read and relax!
We voted and I did so rather rapidly and was glad that I failed to remember how I voted on a rather tight angry contest locally. Glad I don't know how I voted, can't kick myself or brag either! lol
We rushed off to the hospital for lab tests and then were finished for the day. The rest was play time. The neighbor went along and insisted on driving so I let her! We went to lunch at the Atlantic Bread Company. It was a good time, not crowded, and plenty of room for us to move about and Jack to not have his space invaded.
Then we did the Sam's Club deposit of our money! Filled the car with our goodies and started home. Picked up two prescriptions and got home in time to relax awhile. I made a trip to the county seat to buy a few items we could not get this morning and did a little business.
A neighbor brought over some freshly cooked turnips. I don't usually eat turnips but these were delicious. I have such good neighbors. Another neighbor gave me garden fresh summer squash that were just beautiful. Too pretty to eat maybe....maybe put in a still life setting and paint a picture?
Finished Double Cross by Patterson and now have to find another book to read. For my birthday, my daughter sent me exactly what I asked for: all the books she had been reading. In fact she sent 3 boxes of books.
Good night all of you....I am off to read and relax!
HAVE THEY NEVER HEARD OF HANDICAPPED?
We did survive another day of torture!
I hired a neighbor to ride along yesterday when we went back to the clinic and for further tests. She would have gone without pay, but I do not believe in taking advantage of a neighbor's good nature. She works hard for her $ and she is worth every cent she is paid.
The appointment was exactally on time, in fact a couple of minutes early. However, the appointment to clean the wounds, take vitals, ask dozens of questions, then the doctor's viewing and pronouncements, and the treatment tech doing his job actually took an hour and a half. When I saw they were running way over time, I spoke to the tech working on Jack and then the receptionist who called the hospital and informed them we would be late but were on our way! Then the tech said it would take 20 minutes to finish, the receptionist called the hospital and asked if they would be removing the bandages, yes they would, so she stopped the treatment, and then there was the wrapping the open wounds, etc, preparing the medications so I COULD DO THE TREATMENT, and we were finally on our way.
I asked the neighbor to drive and she took us right to the door of outpatient care and Jack and I rushed to reception to get out all the cards, answer all the questions, get a wrist band ( which really shook Jack thinking he was being admitted) then shuttled off to a waiting area. We had time for a restroom break, with neighbor to stand guard at men's restroom, then into another waiting area. We were called in a group, of course Jack is frustrated and could not get chair to work propertly, he went too fast and then too slow, and finally I had to run ahead and tell the "tour leader" that we were having trouble keeping up...... again she is totally into the walking patients...........and totally ignoring Jack's problem of keeping up. Because of Jack's chair's size we had to take two elevators, think neighbor had a chance to remind the tour guide that not all of were walking patients! Another waiting room but a tech came immediately and got us.
The test was absolutely torture for Jack to lay on a hard table with the steel hip, which was already giving him lots of pain, but the techs here were helpful, patient, and into helping the patient be comfortable as possible. I gave Jack medications half-way into tests and he began to relax.
Neighbor picked up the car and I stayed with Jack, then we were off to a quick stop for hamburger and buns for the neighbor's hungry boys, and she drove home. Of course the evening chores were yet to be done, feed the cats, chase off pit bull dog who was chasing cats, owner came with rope finally, do the treatment on Jack's leg (which involved boiling water and cooling it) and prepare something for us to eat. Our last meal had been at 9 in the morning and it was 7 in the evening.
Yes, I did make a statement to one of the techs in the doctor's office about the lack of time permitted for a handicapped to respond to different situations. That even an able bodied person with a good power walk would have difficulty,etc. He said that discussions about the care of handicapped people, facilities available, and other considerations had often been the topic of discussion but not much was changed! At the hospital the complaint was the wound care center was always sending them patients that had wounds just dressed and had to be undressed for the tests and they had no way to cover the wounds.....etc....that the wound center had been asked to send patients first for tests and then to have wounds treated but nothing had changed.
Communicaton seems to barely exist between the wound center and hospital even if they are under the same guidelines and administration.
TODAY WE GO AGAIN.........first to VOTE.........then lab to do blood work..........then to shop if there is any energy left! The neighbor asked to go along because she wanted to shop also without her family along...lol.........are we that good of company?
I haven't slept much but have an extra driver and person if I need help.... so wish us luck!
I hired a neighbor to ride along yesterday when we went back to the clinic and for further tests. She would have gone without pay, but I do not believe in taking advantage of a neighbor's good nature. She works hard for her $ and she is worth every cent she is paid.
The appointment was exactally on time, in fact a couple of minutes early. However, the appointment to clean the wounds, take vitals, ask dozens of questions, then the doctor's viewing and pronouncements, and the treatment tech doing his job actually took an hour and a half. When I saw they were running way over time, I spoke to the tech working on Jack and then the receptionist who called the hospital and informed them we would be late but were on our way! Then the tech said it would take 20 minutes to finish, the receptionist called the hospital and asked if they would be removing the bandages, yes they would, so she stopped the treatment, and then there was the wrapping the open wounds, etc, preparing the medications so I COULD DO THE TREATMENT, and we were finally on our way.
I asked the neighbor to drive and she took us right to the door of outpatient care and Jack and I rushed to reception to get out all the cards, answer all the questions, get a wrist band ( which really shook Jack thinking he was being admitted) then shuttled off to a waiting area. We had time for a restroom break, with neighbor to stand guard at men's restroom, then into another waiting area. We were called in a group, of course Jack is frustrated and could not get chair to work propertly, he went too fast and then too slow, and finally I had to run ahead and tell the "tour leader" that we were having trouble keeping up...... again she is totally into the walking patients...........and totally ignoring Jack's problem of keeping up. Because of Jack's chair's size we had to take two elevators, think neighbor had a chance to remind the tour guide that not all of were walking patients! Another waiting room but a tech came immediately and got us.
The test was absolutely torture for Jack to lay on a hard table with the steel hip, which was already giving him lots of pain, but the techs here were helpful, patient, and into helping the patient be comfortable as possible. I gave Jack medications half-way into tests and he began to relax.
Neighbor picked up the car and I stayed with Jack, then we were off to a quick stop for hamburger and buns for the neighbor's hungry boys, and she drove home. Of course the evening chores were yet to be done, feed the cats, chase off pit bull dog who was chasing cats, owner came with rope finally, do the treatment on Jack's leg (which involved boiling water and cooling it) and prepare something for us to eat. Our last meal had been at 9 in the morning and it was 7 in the evening.
Yes, I did make a statement to one of the techs in the doctor's office about the lack of time permitted for a handicapped to respond to different situations. That even an able bodied person with a good power walk would have difficulty,etc. He said that discussions about the care of handicapped people, facilities available, and other considerations had often been the topic of discussion but not much was changed! At the hospital the complaint was the wound care center was always sending them patients that had wounds just dressed and had to be undressed for the tests and they had no way to cover the wounds.....etc....that the wound center had been asked to send patients first for tests and then to have wounds treated but nothing had changed.
Communicaton seems to barely exist between the wound center and hospital even if they are under the same guidelines and administration.
TODAY WE GO AGAIN.........first to VOTE.........then lab to do blood work..........then to shop if there is any energy left! The neighbor asked to go along because she wanted to shop also without her family along...lol.........are we that good of company?
I haven't slept much but have an extra driver and person if I need help.... so wish us luck!
Saturday, November 1, 2008
I am going to spend time with Jack...........
Told our pastor that I would not be in services tomorrow; I have the best of reasons.
I am going to spend special time with my husband.
We had a particularily bad time at a new wound care clinic last Friday. Although a medical field they have no concept of the handicapped patient. We left home a few minutes after 8 am. I knew they would have a stack of history to complete so we did arrive early and started on the paper work. We finished at exactly the time of our appointment. Our drive time averages 50 minutes to an hour. So we have really made an effort to be ready at 9:45am. However we sat and waited until 10:30 till we were taken into a another room to continue to wait. We saw several different people who did numberous things and asked numerous questions. Finally we see the doctor who reasks the same questions.etc.
Diagnosis............prescription......treatment..... appointments..........it is almost 1pm before we are able to leave........of course there is no one in the building but us and two staff members trying to do their job. I wasn't feeling well, and Jack was tired of sitting without opportunity to change his seating. Each time he tried they would ask what are you doing.... where are you going.... you can't leave...etc. All he wanted to do was hold on to something sturdy and resit just to give his body a small change.
Of course we have to get a prescription filled and the pharmacy does a rush on it.. but it was after 2 when we finally got home. Needless to say we were both exhausted. Jack said I was cross and rude to the poor girls who were trying to do thier job.. They did explain they were short on staff and long on patients.......IS THAT OUR PROBLEM?
What really upset me is here we have a hospital care unit and they have no understanding of the problem of a handicapped patient.
They scheduled our appointment on Monday at 1:30.... and would TRY to get us out by 2:30 so we could made the appointment they made for us across the street and in another complex 15 minutes later. Of course would be hard for someone able bodied and doing a power walk....if they can find a parking spot. I can see Jack and flying along the sidewalk and down the halls to a reception area to be reassign to another place. I think I will have to hire a ride along to take Jack to the reception area while I hunt a parking spot... can't use valet because who can say when we will be done and they close the parking area and you have to hunt the place where they take the keys,etc.
Now this isn't all...they suggested we come earlier in the morning and doing lab work that should take some time. Of course...come early... bring a picnic basket, a bed roll and plan to stay. I will be calling on Monday to explain that we will be making another hour drive there and back on Tuesday to do the Lab work because I won't make Jack spend a day sitting in that chair. People who sit a while move around... move to another place... walk around.....not sit there and wait and wait and wait when there are often sores on his bottom from just such situations. Geesh...and this is a hospital!
I might be crabby and rude all over again! smiles
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