Pat Pirtle (1924 - 2015)

 

I had walked life's way with an easy tread.

I had followed where comforts and pleasures led.

Until one day in a quiet place,

I met the Master face to face.

 

With station and rank and wealth for my goal,

Much thought for my body but none for my soul,

I had entered to win in life's great race,

When I met the Master face to face.

 

I had built my castles and reared them high,

With their towers I had pierced the blue of the sky.

I had sworn to rule with an iron mace,

When I met the Master face to face.

 

I met Him, I knew Him, and I blushed to see,

That His eyes full of sorrow were fixed on me.

I faltered and fell at His feet that day

While my castles all melted and vanished away,

Melted and vanished and in their place

Naught else could I see but the Master's face.

 

And I cried aloud, Oh Lord make me meek

To follow in the steps of Thy wounded feet.

My thoughts are now for the souls of men

 I have lost my life to find it again;

E'er since that day in a quiet place

I met the Master face to face.

 

 

Pat Pirtle was a lovely and gracious lady.  Her family and friends have only good memories to keep them company when their thoughts turn to her.  The last of the Ashby sisters - may she rest in peace.



 

"Missing someone gets easier every day because even though it's one day further from the last time you saw each other, it's one day closer to the next time you will." ~Author Unknown

 



Winter Surprise

I keep thinking that winter is over.  Then I look outside and am reminded that it is merely the beginning of March.  Yes, still winter.

Winter is my second favorite season (or maybe my third, depending on what time of year it is).  I really do enjoy the white covering over all the ugly remnants of the weed patch (aka garden) next to the house.  But not being able to even drive to the road is a problem.

Today I had an unexpected surprise.  I heard what I thought was the trash truck outside.  I looked and a red pickup was driving down my driveway.  Odd I thought.  Then the good Samaritan proceeded to drive back and forth across the entrance to the drive, tamping down the large pile left by the snow plow.  I could not believe it!  I was preparing myself to go (wading through the snow) to the edge of the drive an attempt to lift the heavy accumulation off so I might have a chance of driving out tomorrow or the next day.  What a gift!  I do not know who the person was, but am so thankful that they took the time to make a path.

The birds continue to empty the feeders at least once each day.  Another reason for me to attempt to get to the road - I need to restock bird seed and suet.  In addition, I have sort of "adopted" an outside kitty.  I deposit a dish of cat food every day next to the garage and by the following morning it is empty.  I set up a small shelter next to the garage as well.  I propped open the door of a cat carrier and placed a blanket inside.  I figure if it gets really cold (like it has been for the past couple of weeks) perhaps the kitty will have enough courage to enter and warm up.  I have seen the foot prints leading to the shelter, but am not convinced that he/she took advantage of it (yet). 

I really think the outside kitty is a he.  One day last week I thought I saw a fox in my drive way.  However, since then the "fox" I see is a very large tabby.  He appears to be well cared for, and is quite the mouser (I saw him spring into action on two occasions - and more power to him!  fewer mice around here is just fine with me).

But spring is certainly just around the corner.  In the short meantime my three "inside" kitties are restricted to the small space immediately next to the house.  They apparently are not very fond of the snow, and I didn't shovel enough for them to forage forth and find the dead grasses next to the sidewalk. 

Perhaps it will rain.  Perhaps that will eliminate most of the snow.  Perhaps the kitties will be able to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine.  Or perhaps winter will hang on and force all to stay inside. 

But it is March and this is the Midwest.  So wait a day and let us see what the weather will be. 

 "I prefer winter and Fall, when you feel the bone structure of the landscape — the loneliness of it, the dead feeling of winter. Something waits beneath it, the whole story doesn’t show." ~Andrew Wyeth



More Random Thoughts



Crazy Cat Lady - indeed!  Do I really resemble this?  I am way below the number of furry ones that one would presumably require to achieve the moniker.  Even the boxed set comes with six felines.  Not that I am complaining. 

 

 I find the food and treat bill for three is substantial.  All for what? 

 

I ask you - is it too much to expect that the furry ones that co-habitat with me should attack and kill any of the rodents that scurry about (most likely when I am asleep at night).  Yes, the little devils are still with me.  Not that the "evidence" has shown up in the cupboards lately, but there are fine particles (somewhat like round wood bits) that show up on my kitchen counter.  I think they are the result of the mice running back and forth on the support beam at the top of the ceiling frame. 

 

Christmas is such a great time of the year.  Your family is invited to purchase and provide appropriate gifts that match your personality, your hobbies or interests, or just to keep you on your toes.  Personally, I love books. I download e-books, and collect both paperback and hardback ones.  That said, yet another interesting selection found its way into my personal library at Christmas.   
I do believe that this was "ghost written" by Buddy (see previous post).  Definitely a fun book, quick read, and still located on my coffee table.  Recycling comes to mind when receiving these types of thoughtful gifts. 
 
Not that I minded either of these.  They gave me (and others) a good laugh.  After all, isn't that what holidays are about.  Good times with family and friends.
 
My other random topic is food.  Recently I have attempted to read "The Alzheimer's Diet."  My guess it the plan will resemble the DASH Diet (which I read last year at this time, right after "retirement" began).  The problem with these books is the language used.  "Low-glycemic Index" and "Low-glycemic Load" give me a headache.  Supplement that with "free radicals" (not of the '60s kind), oxidation, and insulin resistance.  In no short time my head starts to hurt. 

I have read these words many times before (I am somewhat of a junkie reading books related to health and nutrition, but usually enjoy a glass or two of wine while doing so), but they just don't stick.  I want a list of food to purchase and use, not the technical concepts that will confuse me when I turn into the chip aisle at the grocery store. 

So I grab a bowl of the "Unhealthy" comfort food (rice [not necessarily balsamic] and raisins).  Of course, I did use Silk Coconut milk, if that is of any consequence.

Doctors have become my new social network since retirement.  I am now going to attempt to reverse the nasty tread I see developing.  Drugs at this age may be covered by insurance, but who wants to remember every day which one to take first and how long to wait in between.  So the old standard of "diet and exercise" will have to be invoked.  Wish me luck!
 

"There are really only two requirements when it comes to exercise.  One is that you do it.  The other is that you continue to do it."  ~The New Glucose Revolution for Diabetes by Jennie Brand-Miller, Kaye Foster-Powell, Stephen Colagiuri, Alan W. Barclay

Rant!

Here we go again!  Yes, after a month of AOL randomly deleting my inbox (this morning I was reading one of the messages when it happened), I went on line for a "technical chat" (the hold time for a "real" person was 20 minutes).  This time I erred and followed the techie's suggestion.  I deleted the AOL email from my Outlook account and then added it back in.  That action managed to delete:  my calendar, my task list, and my address book.  Oh, C**p!

The rest of my midday was spent attempting to recreate the address book and part of my task list.  This is getting very old.  When AOL sent an email requesting input on my situation (in response to a very "negative" feedback message), I repeated my rant and have yet to hear back.  Oh, I had also received an email to provide feedback on last week's encounter - but it was deleted during one of the random acts by the system.

I know I may not be the sharpest tool in the box from time to time, but I feel sorry for folks with less computer experience than I have if this is the type of support one can expect.  I also don't like being treated like a moron. 

I am guessing this might not be my finest week.  The Family Practice report on my bone scan wasn't the most positive.  One would have thought with daily consumption of cheeses and frequent intake of yogurt that the bones would be fine (after all Mom still has great bones, but then again, dad did seem to have osteoporosis).  I am guessing which one has a greater imprint on my genetic code.

Enough of the ranting.  Breathing, breathing, breathing. 

"Eat right, exercise regularly, die anyway."  ~Author Unknown

Random Thoughts

Why do new toilet seats make you feel wealthy?  Recently, I replaced both seats in my bathrooms.  When I sit on the new ones I have the feeling of being in someone else's house.  Someone who has a lot of money to spend on things that I really don't need or want to take care of.  But the new seats ... well, they really do feel great.

Why are most people compelled to make resolutions on New Year's Eve that they will ultimately fail (within a couple weeks) to keep?  This year I avoided the pending doom of resolution failure by not making any.  I am pleased to say that I have been true to this plan and have not failed in any attempts.  That said, the age old ones related to loosing weight, getting healthy, and being active are still looming in my sub-consciousness.  Why is that?

What were robins doing in my backyard just a week ago?  It isn't spring and historically the appearance of robins is a harbinger of the warmer seasons approaching.  I have learned, however, that some of these birds apparently don't disappear in the fall by heading south.  In fact, some actually stay around in the winter months.  Not to worry, I haven't seen the robins since.  I think they caught the last bus out of town.

Why do I tend to sleep at least 9 hours a night now that I am retired?  I suspected that it was a reaction to all those years of being sleep deprived, when my normal week day resulted in about 5 or 6 hours of sleep, and caused an excessive intake of caffeine every day.  I still drink coffee, but only a couple cups each morning to get the blood flowing.

Why does Buddy insist on peeing in inappropriate locations?  I have cleaned the cat boxes more frequently (there are 6 in the house for 3 cats).  I have sprayed him with water when he backs up against the walls.  I have swatted his behind when he lifts his tail on my couch or chairs.  I have even invested in expensive cat-calming pheromones that plug into the outlets.  I have resigned myself to putting down plastic runners along his favorite walls and wrapped my couch cushions in plastic bags.   If he wasn't such a lover and great "purr-er," I would try and find him a different home.  But once I pick them up they are my responsibility for the rest of their lives.  What a sucker.

What additional incentives do I require to get on with my plans?  I keep having vague plans about what I would like to do and where I would like to go.  I just can't seem to stay focused.  Certainly this isn't an "age" thing.  Perhaps inertia related to the winter months is part of my problem. 

Getting on the treadmill daily has helped.  Although not really running yet, a good 3-mile walk every evening helps get the blood flowing and provides sufficient energy to consume what might be considered dinner and sit on the couch for my daily dose of mindless television.  This has got to stop!

 

"Retirement: World's longest coffee break." ~Author Unknown