Who gave my brother the bird?

Today we left Fayetteville for parts south to see my brother Maurice and his wife Anne who live in Newark Valley, NY. This town is located in the central southern part of the state and is really very pretty country of rolling hills with lots of small farms. This past summer they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, and we were piviledged to attend along with their many friends. It was the first time in 14 or 15 years that all of the siblings had gotten together, making this a special occasion for all of us as well.

When we got here today, Maurice brought out a glass bird made by Fenton and hand decorated. This particular bird was a golden color and a fitting anniversary present, but the tags had been lost, and they did not know who had given it to them. Thus the comment, who gave Maurice the bird? Now if any of you readers know the circumstances of this bird, please let me know or call Maurice, as he would like to write someone a thank you note. Surely there is someone out there who would like a thank you note for giving Maurice a bird!

Shingles (Not the house variety)

The last few days we spent in Ann Arbor, I could tell that I had quite an ache both on my back and my front. I thought I had pulled a muscle or something but could not seem to get any relief and decided that in time it would go away. About the last day we were there I could feel some bumps under the skin in the sore areas and thought, "Oh no, I have or am getting shingles." When we got to Fayetteville the first thing I said to mom after we got the car unloaded was that I thought I had shingles and did they have an urgent care nearby. HW2 found one in the phone book and we went over there. My early diagnosis was correct, I have Shingles. They now have an antiviral pill that you can take for a week and with a strong anti -inflammatory can control the flare-up.

Shingles occur because you have chicken pox as a child and the virus remains dormant in your body for the rest of your life and in people over 60 about half of the time, result in a case of shingles. It is not particularly infectious to others which is good news. It is painful though and I was glad to get the proscribed medicine and resulting relief.

About 6-7 years ago I participated in a blind study sponsored by the government to see if a vaccine could be developed to prevent shingles. Half of us were given a placebo and the other half a vaccine. We had to call in monthly for the next five years to relate if we had shingles. I now believe that I was in the placebo group. It was fun to participate in a study that could potentially help others. I believe that a vaccine is now available to prevent shingles and encourage anyone over 60 that had chicken pox as a child to get the vaccine.

I have wondered why the name for this disease since it brings to mind shingles for the roof or siding of a house. Anyone out there know why?

Playing cards

We love to play cards and have played cards for two nights in a row. Last night we played Shanghai Rummy eastern rules. When we normally play this game we play western rules so it was fun to adjust to different rules. HW2 like people to think that she doesn't understand the strategy or rules of the games and then frequently goes on to win. This is how she got tagged 'Sweet Cheeks' by antiquing friend Shelia. Anyway, HW2 won last night and said, "This is the first time I have ever won this game playing eastern rules." So it goes! We were glad to have HW2 win and enjoyed her comment. Tonight is another night. Shall keep you posted.

Car - Face Lift

Our car was backed into while parked in front of our kid's house in Ann Arbor. No one left a note, just ran off, and so we called the insurance company, and they set us up with a terrific body shop in Ann Arbor. We took the car in on Dec. 26 and got it back on Jan. 4. While it was in the shop, we had it gone over and paint touched up, cracked grill replaced, and the rear door dent removed, as well as fixing the hit and run damage. So the car got a face lift. When we got it back, the car looked like it was new, and we hope it stays that way for some time to come.

We packed the car and left the next morning for Fayetteville, NY, to visit Mom for a spell. After about 9-10 hours on the road, we arrived, having traveled on roads that were dry and with a bit of salt residue, but no snow or snow melt. We had a wonderful time with Kim, Chuck, and boys and miss them already. We are not exactly sure how long we will stay with Mom, but we know she has been looking forward to having some company and probably to beating us at cards. She is one terrific card player, and all other players beware.

Antiquities Restaurant in Old Town Albuquerque

We have visited this wonderful restaurant many times over the years. It is located just off the square in old town Albuquerque. If you take the south street off the south west corner of the square you will in about half a block find this wonderful restaurant. It is small and reservations are strongly recommended. There is a parking lot a bit further south about a half block away.

This restaurant does steaks very well and always to what you have ordered. My favorite is a fillet Mignon with a Bearnaise sauce to thoroughly enrich your life. Salads are excellent and other dishes are wonderful too. It is fun to walk about old town square either before or after dinner and check out the shops that primarily are there for the tourist. When HW2 looks at this blog she will add her comments about this restaurant.

Cars get returned to health

We are scheduled to get our car, newly repaired and painted, back today or tomorrow. The optimist in me thinks that this might actually be the case, but one small piece thinks that it is more likely to be Friday or Saturday. I was being lazy and lying in bed, pretending to sleep, when C took his car with the catalytic converter problem (it had been stolen while we visited the Detroit Art Institute) to get an estimate on how much it will cost in money and time to get it replaced. As he roared out of here, I decided I had better get up an get this day going. We have learned that the estimate will be closer to $600 rather than the $2000 we originally heard. If you had read the blog of two days ago, you also learned that the dogs ate the chocolate truffles. They were fine and did not have to go to the vet, so no vet bill for $500. I did think that the dogs had a faint hint of a smile on their faces as they thought of the delight of eating chocolate truffles. At least they did not get sick or have to go to the vet.

We got 10 to 12 inches of snow on New Years and a bit of a dusting again over night. It is a winter wonderland here. C had made a snow cave and a snow tunnel for the boys and had taken Jon sledding. Christian did not want to go. I think that snow is clearly for the young. HW2 and I enjoyed looking out of the windows at a present day Currier and Ives winter scene. When we travel to Syracuse, NY, later this week we are hoping the storm is past and the roads cleared. Travel departure will depend on the weather of course. If you are in the path of this winter storm, we wish you saft travels.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2008

I hope that you welcomed 2008, maybe as you rolled over this morning, and maybe you were one of the ones staying up perhaps watching the lighted ball drop in New York City on television. However, 2008 is here! I hope that it brings you the reader much happiness, good health, friends galore, spiritual and personal growth. Sometimes I make resolutions, but they seem to quickly get forgotten in the daily rush of events. This year I do resolve to continue with this blog on nearly a daily basis and to enjoy interacting with each of you and especially to enjoy your comments. Staying in touch is a tricky thing when you are on the road full time. However email, blogs, and cell phones help.

We got a lot of snow in the night, maybe as much as 6-8 inches. Some of the neighborhood kids made a snowman and put it in the intersection next to our house. We cheered them on and wished all a happy new year's greeting. Maybe we should each do fun things this year that do not hurt anyone but bring a smile to others. HW2 tries to put a smile on the face of everyone she meets and succeeds most of the time. I try to be more like her. Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!