In the pop song, “Good Vibrations”, by the “Beach Boys”. The singer croons about “she is giving me the excitations”. Well, when I opened my new hearing aids, the audiologist assured me that the speach would be sent directly to my aids making the volume louder. What wasn’t mentioned is the voice I hear from my phone is not heard by others in the area. this is great if one is reading a book or a podcast but it can be creepy for others. For example, I can hear my phone ringing in my ear, without being near my phone. Tapping my hearing aid , will answer the call. I can talk and disconnect by the same method. If I am in a meeting my side of a conversation sounds like this “Hello” “Yes, I can be there.” “Ok, See you then.” People near me imagine that I am starting to talk to myself for no reason. My husband, though used to these one sided interchanges and still wonders. The most difficult interchanges are with Siri and going through e mail. My part of the conversation could run like this, “Read it.” “Next.” “Send.” I try to be in a quiet space with some privacy, like a bathroom stall. If I answer too softely, Siri will ask me to repeat my request. I usually raise my voice to accommodate conversation. I will emerge only to find a person with a puzzled expression. “Do you need help?” I want to shout,”Yes, I need to send and retreave my email in peace.” I am waiting for Alexa, Siri and google to strike up a conversation without me. That will give me excitations,
Is there anyone out there?
Phone ringing. In my ear beeping. Tap phone, say hello. A.I. on the phone. I sigh , wait my turn. Wait so long, I forgot what to say. Carolaspot@aol.com
In the musical,”Guys and Dolls” The character, Adelaide sings a lament about a cold from not being married. Though I am married, I can identify with the misery of the annual winter cold. No matter what I do or take, the illness will run it’s full course. Many remedies include, vitamin C, herbal tea or whiskey and honey. Nothing seems to help. When growing up, my mother would put a steamer in the ill child’s bedroom. Near the steam opening was a small indention. This was filled with the infamous Vicks Vapor rub. Soon the whole room would smell a training room for athletes. Hot lemon and honey mixed with water was offered as a drink. I preferred to take a dose of honey straight from a teaspoon. We would be offered Vick’s cough drops. The box was kept from year to year, with the drops becoming soft and sticky. They would collect fuzz from the drawer where they were hidden. One of those would cure a child from asking for another. My grandmother Jenny’s, universal solution to any illness was to give Vernors Ginger Ale. Indifference to a sore throat, she would warm the drink. Grandpa Al swore snorting salt water into the nose was the best cure for a stuffed up nose. I could never get the courage to try it. I do recall my dad attempting this remedy, with mixed results. Finally, a hot bath with a long soak was offered before bedtime. Epsom Salts were mixed in the water to relax sore muscles from from coughing. I recall the water had a smooth feel as I splashed in the tub. With all the advise, I will close that whatever cure you try, remember, improvement will occur in about ten day. Ah-cho!
Blow Away
Blow away A cold to stay, Not Mother’s cures I pray. reading in bed, I’ll stay. not too gay, Vick’s smell all day. carolaspot@aol.com
Tis the season of Church fish fries. Also known as meatless meals, the Friday’s in lent were a time to come together as a parish to share a meal. It became a money making operation for churches and other non-profits, such as Knights of Columbus and Veterans organizations. For a small price, a person can get a piece or two of fried perch, walleye or cod. The meal may include fries, coleslaw, a roll and butter and a drink of lemonade or coffee. Other menu items could include macaroni and cheese, for the children, a tossed salad, and baked potato. There may be an optional dessert selection donated by parishioners. Like many food items, fish fry’s have raised their prices from 8 dollar meals to 13 to 15 dollar per meal. To allow a lower cost alternative for families, some churches are offering Soup and Salad with a roll and a drink. A choice of several soups and salads may be available. Different parts of the country may have different items on the menu. In Florida and other parts of the south, French fries were replaced with fried okra. The offered seafood was shrimp. A soup of clam chowder was available. My mother had several meals she would rotate through the lenten season. There was creamed peas on toast. I would get my creamed peas in a separate bowl with the toast on the side, after I had thrown up the pea mixture on toast. Home made mac and cheese was a favorite. It was served with a side salad in wooden bowls. The same bowls would be used later for popcorn. Finally there was homemade pizza with several different veggies. My choice was mushrooms. Occasionally mom baked fish sticks, but not often. As we grew older, we were expected to fast, eating only one meal or two smaller meals. Coming to the table hungry, we were less picky. Finally, remember the volunteers that cooked and will clean up after you. The meals are offered hoping to break even. Be generous with your donation.
Fries
A long table, Paper plate of cooling fries, A small girl daintily pinches a fry between her finger and thumb. Dipping into a cup of ketchup. She dips again and again. Till the plate is clean.
When asked what is the most romantic destination, answers may include Hawaii, Cancun or Paris. For my husband and myself, that place is Death Valley, California. It was the destination for our honeymoon. Three days after Valentine’s Day, we flew to Las Vegas to be married in a small chapel,”Graceland”. Then onto Death Valley. We both loved the desert. Coming from the snowy midwest, we wanted warm, sunny weather. Death Valley National Park is over 5000 square miles, spanning California and Nevada east of the Sierra Nevadas. We stayed in Nevada, at Furnace Creek. The park includes salt flats, sand dunes, badlands, canyons ,even snow capped mountains. Bad Water basin, is 282 feet below sea level. Fewer than five hundred people live year round in the area, making it a secluded spot. On our way to Furnace Creek we drove for three hours without seeing another vehicle, except for the burned out ruin of a chassis. I wanted to visit Desert Pupfish Monument located on the way. In the west, distance is reported in driving hours not miles. We did find the parking area for the pupfish. Not another car was there. A metal walkway spanned the opening of underground salt water caverns. Rarely seen except by scuba divers, the spring is protected. We propped the camera to take a selfie of us with the sign and the empty parking lot. twelve years later, while visiting the area with our daughter Ruth, We were able to see the pupfish swimming up the shallow to spawn. The fish are 1 to three inches in length. It is a boney fish silver or tan in color. The males are slightly larger with blue tinges on their gills. They can withstand high temperatures, and the high salt content of the water. The average rain in the valley is 1.4 inches yearly most of it coming in the fall. Recently, washouts in the canyons of the area have closed several roads. On our first visit, the weather was dry and warm. On our second trip in 2004, we were caught in a sudden torrent , causing gullies to flood. We drove up into the canyons on narrow roads. The wind blew hard, causing my hair to stand up and the car to rock. Other natural wonders are a salt deposit area with many holes and divots in the ground. Bad Water Basin, is 282 feet below sea level. It is considered one of the hottest places in the country. It holds the record for the highest temperature of of 134 degrees. The average temperature runs about 91 degrees. Near the mountains, the weather is more temperate. The weather forecast calls for cool, dry weather in that area. One of the most colorful areas in the valley is Artist’s palette. The mineral deposits in the cliffs give the rocks hues of blues, purples and pinks. Low sun can highlight the colors in the cliffs. Scottie’s Castle is a ranch built by Albert Johnson a millionaire from Chicago. He befriended Walter Scot, a local gold miner and story teller. Mr Johnson built an apartment for he and his wife to use and stay when visiting the ranch. In exchange, visitors were told that Scottie owned he ranch and a a hidden gold mine that funded his lifestyle. The ranch is now part of the Death Valley National Park. When asked to compare the Grand Canyon to Death Valley, a visitor commented, “the Grand Canyon is immense with vistas and wildlife, but Death Valley has a spiritual component in the desert landscapes, It is a popular destination for landscape photography. I choose Death Valley for my Valentine’s destination.
Death Valley
Found in the desert between California and west of the mountains It is a dry, rugged terrain. It’s name derived from a group of gold seeking miners that starved in the mountains in 1849, starved on their way to join the gold rush. Still today, it is an isolated landscape. Filled with quiet spiritual beauty. carolaspot@aol.com February 12, 2024
When people talk about the winter break, they usually are referring to a break from school or work. This year, I see a different break. The reprieve from a harsh winter. Here in the midwest, we start to see the signs of spring in March. This year, February is the month of change. The white lenten rose plants have continued to bloom all winter. The rose tinted buds of the helleborus a later bloomer, are producing small pink buds. Myrtle has stayed green and lush. Deer have continued to feed on the new growth by digging under the snow to find the plant as it appears. Even the flowering bulbs of the snow drops have started to put out leaves a month ahead of schedule. Additionally, The shoreline of Lake Michigan is free of ice. The lake is usually ice bound into March. Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction of an early spring is proving true. Global warming is a fact, not a myth. Our area of the country is not the only area seeing weather changes. There have been torrential rains in Washington and Oregon. More than five inches of rain have fallen in the past week in Portland. The average yearly rainfall is 48 inches. Texas, has dealt with a long period of dry, hot weather. In College Station, near Houston, the heat record was recorded at 112 degrees. The Dakota’s, midwest and the south had long periods of extreme heat, paired with little rainfall. Warming of the surface of oceans have increased the intensity and frequency of hurricanes. The increased temperatures in shallow water areas, such the Golf of Mexico and near the Florida Keys, have caused destruction of plant and fish life. So before you take too much delight in the change in winter, consider if this a variation or a trend? What can each of us do to make a smaller footprint in the water and land? We have one earth and she is sending out an alarm.
No bees, no ants, fewer birds, Just some pests butterflies gone no bats on wing who’s next feel the sting
One of the oldest and strangest holidays is Ground Hog Day. First observed in the 16th century, by German speaking people. In 1887 the Pennsylvania Dutch believed in the weather predication ability of the ground hog. The ground hog or wood chuck would emerge from hibernation on the same day, yearly. If he saw his shadow, he would return to his burrow and there would be 6 more weeks of winter. In 1887, Punxsutawney a Indian name meaning sand flies, was a summer encampment that became the center of ground hog activities. Punxsutawney after the Indian name for this area in Pennsylvania, is translated as winged fleas. The terrain the animals prefer contains bushes and woods. With clear sights to see other approaching animals. The ground hog will protect his territory from other males to care for the new babies. The ground hog, known as Phil made his debut over 130 years ago. Though the lifespan of a ground hog 14 years, Punxsutawney has lived for over 130 years. Since the movie ,”Ground Hog Day,” many municipalities have celebrated this day to escape from the doldrums of winter. In addition to the observing of the ground hog prediction of winter’s length. A pancake breakfasts featuring the pancakes in the shape of the ground hog with banana slices for ears, almond eyes and chocolate pieces with marshmallows decorating the backs is offered. Celebrations, can include parades led by a human dressed as the ground hog. Skits are popular where the snow and ground hog are blown off the stage by a strong spring wind. Crafts featuring pop up ground hogs are offered for children to make. Ground hogs, also known as whistle pigs or woodchucks are a type of ground squirrel. They prefer low lands near bushes and edges of woodlands. The name Whistle Pig comes from the high pitch sound a ground hog will produce when protecting his territory. The ground hog is not a good predictor of the weather. He have been correct about 40 percent of the time. If he was weather reporter, he would be out of a job. Other activities have included a Ground Hog marathon, and nature walks. Whatever way you choose to mark this day, know that spring is only four to six weeks away. Looking forward to the green shoots of wild grasses and mint plants that ground hogs savor.
Indications of Spring
Green shoots in sunny spot long stem reaching to light bell shaped flowers along stems dew drops
In the past month, We have lost four friends. Knowing as we age, we will experience this loss more. I thought back to deaths in John’s and my own families. John’s Dad, Albert was the first to die. He had emphysema and kidney damage. It was a long degenerative condition. He had many bouts of breathing difficulties. He used oxygen . John’s last memory of his Dad was during one of these breathing bouts. “Dad, Make up your mind. Do you need to go to the hospital? I have to go and milk the cows.” Dad decided to go to the hospital. John called his mom, Helen to relate the news. Mom, I took Dad to the hospital. “He didn’t look good, you better come home.” When Helen arrived at the hospital, Dad was sitting in bed and talking. “I need a pair of slippers.” Helen went to buy a pair. Upon returning, she found that he had died. My Mom, Rita, had a heart attack at home. When she was admitted to the hospital, they found her lung capacity was limited. She slowly deteriorated over the next year. Before Mother’s Day, all of the children decided to visit her that weekend. Rita rallied and was able to have lively conversations with each of us. Her mouth and tongue were covered with ulcers, making it painful to eat or drink. Mom asked me to hold the cup for her. She was aware and batted my hand aside as I spilled water on her night gown. My brother Mike was the best at giving her water. He spoke softly and was careful not to touch her sore lips. We returned the next day to find that Mom had passed just before we arrived. She was sitting watching TV with Dad. “Bruce, I really love you.” Dad watching the news replied, “I love you too dear.” She slipped from this world before the sports report. Sadly my brother Mike died several years ago after a battle with stomach cancer. He had many bouts of chemo before he succumbed. John’s Mon, Helen had hospice for bladder cancer. She was able to stay with us until the last month of her life. She had made arrangements to have care in an assisted living center. Once there, she had a quick decline, except for the phone conversation with her son Gene. “Gene, when are you coming to visit?” “Mom, I am in Roseville, you are in Grand Rapids, it is too long of a trip.” After that call, Helen, died shortly after Christmas. She was at peace the last time we visited her. My Dad was able to stay in his home with help from my brother Brian and his family. Living next door to him, they were able to keep a close watch on him. Dad had a growth or pocket in his throat. This made it difficult to swallow. He ate less and drank Ensure and other liquids . He was weak and fell, after that he had to have help to stand, walk and use the bathroom. Brian would sleep on the floor in his room to be available to help him in the night. He was taken to the hospital where he soon died watching the sunrise from his bed. We refer to a “good death.” We can prepare for death by living each day well. Finding people and tasks that keep us engaged and involved. Prayer and meditation is a part of my daily routine. As one person commented, Live each day as if it is your last, for someday it will be.” Live with purpose, die well and at peace. Carolaspot@aol.com January 22, 2024
Going Home
walks through shadows path cleared to welcome travelers
We waited the whole of December for snow. Instead it remained brown and wet with rain. We hoped for snow to decorate the outdoors with festive winter blankets of crystals to ski on. We had temperatures in the 50’s and drying southern winds. Now after the holidays, Mother Nature has changed her mind and is blowing arctic wind towards the midwest making up for lost time. Two photos are attached below. In Michigan, we experience two types of snow. System snow and Lake effect snow. The Great Lakes are currently ice covered over 71 percent of the total surfaces. This may sound like a lot but this is the lowest amount of ice since records have been kept. The Question is, “Where is the ice?” Part of the answer is Lake effect snow. Winds blowing from the west or north, gather moisture from the open waters and when making shore , drops the moisture in the form of a light fluffy snow. The majority of the snow accumulates within 25 miles of the lake shore. As winter progresses, more of the lakes surface freezes until most of the lakes are covered with a protective surface of ice, stopping lake effect snow falls. Most years, Lake Michigan forms ice on all but the deeper southern portion. The continue lake effect snow depletes the water from the bodies of water, spreading them over a large part of the land. It may take years to return the water to the lake. In passed years, the shore area has enlarged as the lake’s level have shrunk. Additionally, the Great Lakes temperature in summer months has risen to the warmest levels in years. The changing water has increased the amount of algae inhibiting light and decreasing the fish populations. This is more than a El Nino or La Nina shift. There is a growing concern for the warming of the Great Lake basin will lessen the amount of fresh walter available to the world’s population. With single digit temperatures expected in the next week, More of the lake’s will form ice. We will have to see if it will be enough!
STORMY WEATHER
warm wings cold air create snow lovely but robs lake water snow fall slow to return to lake alert carolaspot@aol.com January 15, 2024
Life on a working farm in winter is a quiet and more relaxed pace. Crops are sold. Fruit and vegetables are canned. equiptment is stored away awaiting spring. On our dairy farm, the cows had to be milked twice a day but the amount of milk decreased in anticipation of freshing of the new heifers. Time to repair and replace worn items. Even the animals relaxed in the longer nights. Turkeys were free to roam and find their own spot to nest for the evening. Often, they awoke sitting in a snow pile. Rising, the melted snow refroze to pull breast feathers from the chest and bottom of each bird. By the end of winter, they were quite plucked. Geese did the same, but their feathers were thicker and coated with oil. They could nest on the snow and not suffer being plucked. Our chickens had a communal nesting box that was covered in the hen house. To collect the eggs, we removed the top of the nest. The chickens would run outside for safety . The nesting box was three by three feet wide. The body heat, kept the chickens comfortable and the eggs from freezing. Egg collection was quickly done. Occasionally, a hen would refuse to leave her eggs. A quick push to the side or a hand under the hen was needed to retrieve the eggs. Barn cats kept the mice out of the barn. They lined up for a squirt of warm milk straight from the cow’s udder. In the winter, John would find each cat had selected a cow’s back for warmth. They would both be sleeping when the lights were turned on. On sunny days, the cows and goats would enjoy the bright sunshine, they would gather in the sun to feel the heat. The young steers would be fed and kept outdoors. In cold, windy weather, they would gather together in the woods for warmth and protection. Finally, the deer would ventured out to the large hay bales to help themselves to food when food was scarce. The outside of the bale was not eaten by farm animals but it kept the interior of the bale edible til spring. Our dog Junior loved the snow. He would tear across a field of fresh snow as fast as possible. Suddenly he stopped and flung his body on the snow. Investigation found that Junior’s feet gathered snow between his toes in larger and larger balls. He had to to bite the snow balls from the long hair on his feet. Storms would blow across the fields from the west or north. Snow piled up and country roads closed. John would take out his snow shoes to feed the livestock and take short trips to the grocery store. On one occasion, John and his Mother were returning from church. The snow was fluffy deep and blowing. To navigate the last hill, John had to lay across the hood of the car while Helen drove. Another, time John took his snowmobile to play in the fields. There was a shallow depression in the field. The snowmobile broke the surface and sank . John was in water up to his thighs. Revving the motor, He started the machine and sped towards the farm house. Stripping out of his wet snowsuit, he jumped into the hot shower to warm his freezing cold extremities. That evening, he still had to go and feed, milk and muck out the stalls. All in a winter’s day.
Winter Chores
Rise early lantern in hand open barn door, snores from within cows moo softly, fed, each to milk parlor before dawn Carolaspot@aol.com January 7, 2024
I have always celebrated New Years Eve, but not in the traditional manner. As a child, I tried to stay up for the ball dropping but in the morning, I found I was tucked into my bed. When I was in my teens, I was a babysitter in demand. I was booked for New Years Eve weeks in advance. After the children were settled into their beds, I would look into the larders to find treats left for me. I discovered the delights of tonic water and chocolate ice cream. It was not as sweet as pop, foaming over the top of the glass, I felt grownup. Sipping the concoction, I watched Johnny Carson. The couple thought I was drinking gin and tonics, until I mentioned my snack. In college, I had a real date for New year eve. We had a late dinner at Webers restaurant. The prime rib was cold and the staff hurried us to finish quickly. After college, I was invited to small parties at friends homes. I didn’t like to drink, I was tired of refusing drinks with alcohol. The noise and smoke made my eyes burn. My first husband enjoyed going out for a special dinner. Because we had to order special transportation, we had an early date. Mike drank and I would have to undress and tuck him into bed. I would return to the Tonight show and the ball drop. My second husband John, worked for the post office. He would often have to work on New year day. He and I would be in bed long before the ball dropped in Times Square. John’s mother, Helen, stayed up with several of Ruth’s friends to shoot off poppers and make noise at 12 o’clock. We never hear a sound. Now as empty nesters, we will open a bottle of sparkling juice to toast the new year and we remember the past year. With John’s heart surgery and stroke, I will be glad to turn the page on 2023 and welcome 2024. Closure
Cloudy skies hide the closure of another year. Seasons passed as recollections blended with memories, good and sad. Conflicts at home and abroad. Warming trends. Killing of innocents. I grow weary of it! But I still hope For 2024. To be kinder, share with strangers, to be a peace with ourselves and nature.. I say farewell to the past. Look forward to a fresh leaf. Waiting to hold the next chapter.
traveling up and down the blind highway 