Good Graduation

Hello, Nora’s graduation was over an hour long with a certain amount of formality. Sophia’s graduation was shorter and more informal. There are positives to be said about both. We did watch Sophia’s on line because it was just a day after Nora’s and they are geographically too far apart. We will head to Minnesota tomorrow so we can be there in person for her graduation party. I graduated with 28 people. All these graduations are quite different than what I experienced. But the sense of celebration is the same across the generations. There is also the feeling of grads looking ahead and missing what was. People are still basically the same people on many levels. Perhaps that is why we can read some old books and find connections. In Utah, we walked the dogs every day. We have only been home one day and I have not walked as much as I should. Leroy did better as he walked to church. Today he rode his bike to the museum. At Miriam’s house, we learned that Andy had hurt his shoulder, making him a one-armed man. Then Miriam tripped and hurt her knee. She could walk, but there was a certain amount of pain involved, especially with stairs. Their daughters helped with a lot of things and we did too. Sometimes the young and the old have to work together because the middle is not able. At least Leroy and I could still manage most things. Paula

Flights Were Fine

Hello, After two weeks away we got home yesterday. We were in Utah for Norah’s high school graduation. We got to the airport in plenty of time. We like that. Because we fly economy, we could not see our boarding pass much before we left. That did make me a little nervous. They appeared in time with seat assignments. Leroy and I were across the aisle from each other. No one was sitting by him after we had boarded. The flight attendant agreed I could move by him. Then just before we left, another couple got on. The man sat farther ahead. And the attendant ushered the woman to the seat I had vacated. For the next flight we each had the middle seat in the row. I thought I had looked at the seat number. Later a woman came up and said that I was sitting in her seat. I realized then I should have been in the seat ahead, but someone was sitting there. Guess I did not even process that too much, but assumed that I had looked at the wrong row. An attendant came to solve the issue. It was determined that the row ahead of me had two people with the A seat ticket, but one was sitting in my B seat. After some checking, they learned that one of the A people had been reassigned to first class. She moved and the wondering person in the aisle took her seat and I just stayed put with feelings of embarrassment. Otherwise, the flight was uneventful just how I like a like a flight to be. I know some think bigger is better, but I am so happy to come to the smaller airport here in town. Leroy and I both got our 10000 steps. In the two larger airports we got plenty of walk to the gates. In Denver we went from 88 to 22. We just walked and did not take the moving steps as we had enough time. Paula

Solved Some Things

Hello, I got a doctor bill for a trip to the emergency room. The amount seemed shockingly high. The insurance had not been billed. On the website, they did not have my insurance information. I added it, but immediately it disappeared. Going out and coming back in did not bring it up. Calling the company put me on hold to the road to nowhere. I then wondered if this was a scam. The check on that said the website was rated at 30% not sure what that means, but it does not sound good. Today I went to the billing department at the hospital where I had been. She could tell me that it was a legitimate billing company. However, she knew that others have been having trouble with it. She felt I would have some help by calling that number again. This time when I called, I reached the company and they took my information and stated they would turn in the claim. Hurrah! A friend had a serious health issue. We wanted to contribute to a food train for them. I do not make meals for others. When I cooked with meat, I might have, but now I am not comfortable doing that. There was the option to give a gift card to a restaurant. Leroy tried to do that, but it kept being rejected. Today he got a notice from the credit card asking if he had done that. He got that straightened out. He tried again to get the job done but it still would not accept his credit card so he had to use another method which did work. However, he was quite upset by this time. it took a bit of time and a nap for him to settle down. Paula

Rain or Not

Hello, Today the sky teased us with the idea that it might rain. We need rain, so it was a disappointment when it did not become more than some sprinkles. In places the ground is starting to crack. We talked about watering the garden in front, but did not get it done, hoping for more rain. Tomorrow, I will try to remember to do that ahead of a phone call we are expecting at 9:00 am. That should give me plenty of time, however memory is the harder part of this deal. The community garden would certainly benefit from some rain or watering as well. Leroy did ride his bike to the museum for volunteering. He fussed around for a while saying, “Should I drive or ride my bike?” He might have had some sprinkles, but that would have been all. I even hung out some clothes and they are now dry. Between the wind and the temperature going up it did not take long for that to happen. We have some starlings that must have a nest in a hole in a tree in the yard. At least now they keep zooming in and out carrying food for the babies. This morning I saw a sparrow looking in the hole. It stayed there for a bit of time. Wonder what that was all about? I like more colorful birds, but these sparrows and starlings give me some entertainment and speculation. Paula

Where Can They Be

Hello, Leroy has been missing some of his white handkerchiefs. He has looked unsuccessfully; I have looked unsuccessfully. He used to have a rather large stack of them, but now he only has five. Could the washer have taken them? I am missing two pair of socks. Leroy looked in his sock drawer, but found neither. Now could the washer be so smart that it would take a pair of socks rather than just one sock? I have to confess that I have not taken out my sock drawer and looked very carefully. But they are not were I usually put them away. We are mystified. On a positive note, the iris are blooming and are beautiful. The deep purple and the salmon are from my sister’s house. How nice to think of her when I see this beauty. The other iris was lying on the sidewalk where someone dropped it. I took it and planted it.

Paula

Getting used to the New

Hello, I had become quite adjusted to taking out the temporary tooth. Now I keep wanted to do that. My tongue is constantly checking out this new piece. Biting anything very hard has not happened yet. I did manage to floss last night and this morning. They gave me a lesson in the office. I am grateful that they encouraged me to try it there as well. New learning! I do not wear reading glasses much of the time. even after five years I still sometimes think I am wearing glasses and I should remove them before going to bed. Old habits are hard to break, but it can be done. I did get to qigong this morning. The library there had had a book sale and was offering left over books, free. I randomly picked up several for the little free library. Three of them were by an author that Leroy reads. I was clueless about whether he had read them or not. He does not think he read them. So, they are in the house. I looked over the other books and decided to read them or at least give them a chance with me. Now there are too many books in the house and not many in the little free library. I have two other books that someone donated, but I keep checking out from the library and do not get around to reading the ones waiting for me. After all they do not have to be returned. Paula

New Teeth

Hello, This morning the dentist put in a permanent bridge. He predicts that it will go with me to the grave. It was not a hard thing to endure, but I am glad to think that I will not have to do it again. My bottom teeth are now straighter than they were before all this started five months ago. Who knew that losing teeth would make such a difference in my appearance. My tongue is almost constantly checking out the new addition. Surely that will become ordinary in time. I will just take it easy for a day or two before I bite into any hard thing. He suggested that I always bite raw carrots more to the side. A new habit to form. I am grateful for dental care that could work with this situation and that we have the money to pay for it. They sent the bill to the advantage plan, but I do not expect it to pay much or any. Dental work is not covered unless it causes health risk. That has not been a problem because we have not needed much expensive care. Leroy rode his bike to the museum. He came home almost panting. That heart does not like to be used too much. He said there was also some heavy living in this volunteer session. He had to rest from time to time. Paula