Swine Flu

Even though it seems far removed from the Pacific Northwest, the Oregon Public Health Department had us send home information for parents today (should be going home from all public schools soon if it hasn't already). Let's hope we can stay away from this strain of flu! The big push is to remind folks to stay home when sick. That seems like a no-brainer but doesn't always happen with the little folks but ODE says that schools will close if the outbreak hits if necessary. All the more reason to countdown the days until summer, don't you think?

PS- I didn't have shingles.

Sneezing in the Spring!

A friend's blog included a video about how to cough or sneeze into your sleeve, exactly what we teach kids to do at school. Why is it then that I'm still covered with little droplets as these "educated" kids sneeze on me during reading! Well, to be fair, the little people are still learning that technique and it sneaks up on them! In any case, we keep trying.

Dinnertime!

The goldfinches are flocking to the feeders these days-isn't spring wonderful!

False Alarm (I hope)

This afternoon at school my left arm started hurting a bit so I took off my cardigan sweater to check. I found a rash--in a line from my wrist almost to my elbow. It hadn't been there in the morning when I showered and dressed so it seemed a bit odd. Because it was raining last night, I hadn't been out gardening so it seemed far-fetched that it could be caused by something I'd connected with doing that chore. My sister's recent bout with shingles crossed my mind and when a friend thought it might be shingles too, I decided I'd better get checked. Of course, the Dr.'s office had no openings and sent me to the Urgent Care being suspicious of that same diagnosis. Anyway, the Dr on duty said he'd never seen shingles start on the arm but didn't know what it could be so, to be on the safe side, sent me home with a prescription to fill IF it gets worse or appears on the usual places. I'm not sure what it is, but very glad it's not "dreaded shingles"! My sister is still suffering and it's been months!

Into every life a little rain must fall.......

We are counting our blessings for the rain this evening. Not only will it water new plantings but it gives us a break from yard work! A couple of years ago a guest at a backyard wedding asked us how many hours a week we had a gardener! We chuckled but took it as a compliment. I guess, since Dan's not working yet, I can count up his backyard hours and add the nightly time I've spent recently to get the answer. We have all we need but we don't always appreciate all we have!

Sunny Saturday

What a wonderful Saturday! My friend Sherry took me to breakfast at WOM (a left-over birthday celebration from a month ago) and of course, it was fabulous! Then I just had to stop a a couple of nurseries to get some plants. We discovered that Godfrey's (off Shaw Square Rd) by far had the best prices! I'd already gotten a few at before I got there and was kicking myself for spending more but took the opportunity anyway and came home with a trunk full! Then the planting began. Two of the grandsons were over and loved to help in the garden. We thought if they planted "their plants" then perhaps when they come to visit Nana & Pa, they won't mind weeding either. (We'll have to wait to see if that strategy works). An evening barbeque was a satisfying end to a perfect day.

Editing

I just read by last blog and saw all kinds of errors! (I fixed them). Guess that's what happens when fatigue overtakes an old lady-and I'm usually so tuned in to the written word and edit mistakes others make in that area! But it did make me think--how often do I see my daily bloopers and inconsistencies but can more easily focus on another person's errors? Lord, help me look at myself and others through your eyes of compassion and love and not be critical!