traveling up and down the blind highway

In the past week, I know that the mask order is having some effect. There have been over a dozen used masks along the roads and sidewalks . Some may have fallen out of vehicles but they have been discarded after shopping or banking. People are less likely to pick up this waste to dispose of it without protection . This spring there were not the groups cleaning the roadsides in my community. Next year , we will see an abundance of masks along with other wind swept trash.Maybe we could start carrying a disposable gloves to our walk or bike ride. Stop and pick up the masks putting then in a disposable bag. The flora and fauna will appreciate it.If we are wearing masks to protect ourselves and others, The masks could pose a threat if not disposed of properly.Treat the masks as Hazardous waste and dispose of then in your junk bag.
marigolds an amber circle enclose masks

Our family doctor recommended both my husband and I get inoculations for pneumonia. We stopped at a local drug store . The pharmacist indicated that we were due for a hepatitis vaccination. We decided to get both. Our out of pocket cost was nothing but when we looked at the bill , the cost would have been over 500 Dollars. The pneumonia is a yearly shot. The hepatitis needs a booster in 6 months. These drugs are not new and still they are over 100 dollars each. We are on Medicare and have health insurance. What about the group of the population that have minimal insurance coverage? Will they be able to pay for health?We are awaiting a vaccination for the coronavirus . What do you think a new drug will cost the consumer? It is not likely that it will be a one time inoculation. It likely need boosters every 6months to a year. Will people be able to afford it? Will insurance companies rule the new drug experimental and not reimburse.Many will choose to take their chances . Is our government looking into ways to help most of the population afford the cure? Or are we looking at the few being able to have access and pay for it.
Curecorona virusunder trials nowresults look promisingeach dose can be costly

Inner compassAs I write this story, I am reminded how memory plays a role in where items are in my home. I know that my coffee cup is to the left of my I Pad. My slate and stylus is in the middle of the table and the phone is on the far right wall.As I go navigate through my home , I know where the hallway starts, where the bedrooms are and what is in each.I can feel the tiles of the kitchen floor and know where the pots, pans and food items are located to be a successful cook. When cleaning, I feel the containers and even smell the contents to know if I have grabbed the correct cleaning solution .In my family room, I have my knitting yarns by color in a cabinet. I can easily locate each basket of color to work on a project.I can vacuum rooms by feel and following the room’s walls and working my way into the middle of the floor space.My Dad once closed his eyes to see if he could get around his home of 50 years. He admitted that he couldn’t find his way from his bed to the bathroom without running into furniture or a doorway. He asked how I could maneuver and not run into items.I told him that after trial and error, my inner compass know where most things were located. Just don’t move anything in my world

After I broke my pelvis, I had to relearn to balance and stand. I lost my inner compass. I would take my walker and end up in the living room when I was aiming for the bathroom. I kept running into furniture and walls, like my Dad. I had to count my steps to know if I was down the hall. I counted steps to the kitchen table and to the step down into the family room. Retraining took several weeks and I still have occasional difficulties. I hope that my inner compass returns.
Inner Compass
Do I turn right or left?How many to the bathroom in the middle of the night?In a strange room, can I identify where I am?Sometimes yes, other times no.traveling through my home each day is a new adventure.I put pieces of the puzzle together to fix my broken compass.

In the past month, there have been several news stories about a four acre plot of perennials planted by a farming family as a living memorial to their deceased family members.The field has become a go to sight for it’s natural beauty. Located between a blueberry field and the country cemetery, it calls locals and others to admire and snap photos.But some of the admirers leave their own mark on the scene. People have driven over graves to get a better view of the field.The local township had to lock the gates of the cemetery to stop the destruction.Now, the sightseers are parking on the road and trespassing into the field to pick flowers and pose for photos.As they walk in the field, they trampled foliage, making trails in the field. The callousness of people for others reminds of the debate over wearing a mask to protect others or not wearing a mask is a persons right. What about the rights of the landowners and the dead that the field is honoring. 
I hope that we as Americans can have consideration for all and not think that an individual’s right outweighs the many.

Beauty in the field By Carol Farnsworth
On the shores of Lake Michigan, in blueberry country,There is a field of color, scents and buzzing bees.4 acres of poppies, bachelor buttons and daisies.Wedged between the ripening berries and a country cemetery holding generations of farmers.The field was planted to honor two family members and as a memorial to the beauty they loved.They are buried in sight of the field, resting in hallowed ground.But the living can’t enjoy the sight without causing destruction.They drive on graves with their cars to get a better photo of the flower field.Even walking through the flowers trampling pathed. I wonder what the dead think of the living and their callousness?Are they pondering eternity?The berries will ripen and drop.The flowers will wilt and spread their seeds.But why can’t man enjoy the sight and the thought that is behind the beauty in the field?

Entering a room of a Monet art exhibit, I am surrounded by wheastacks.They differ in amount of light, and season.The effect of using the same outdoor subject to study the minute changes.The 14 pictures gave me a feeling of serenity and calmness.In my poetry, do I give such detail to my subject?Monet painted scenes close to his home. Do I look outside my own door to note the changes that are always occurring?Look to the mundane and see the extraordinary.Let the poetry be the lens to light up an object in your backyard.

A solitary day lily
In the middle of the back hill,a yellow day lily raises it’s petals to the sun.There used to be many more.But animals have eaten them.Only this one brave flower , stands alone.I don’t know what the future holds for it.But it is glorious in the present moment.
Later ,low sun was diffused through a storm cloud.The lily was bathed in a golden glow .As the light fades, so to will the flower.

Today my parents would have been married. 79 years. Though they loved each other, they were opposites in temperament. My father grew up in a family that had their needs met in the depression. He never wanted for food or pocket money.My mother was one of 6 children. Her parents struggled to make ends meat and put food on the table. My mother tells of one summer being sent to a relative’s farm and being amazed that she could pick and eat vegetables in the garden.Dad couldn’t keep track of money. My mother gave him a 10 dollar bill and a blank check for his wallet. Mom did the books in the home and the store.Dad was outgoing and social. Mom was reserved . She was a good hostess when asked.One anniversary, my Dad bought a boat for a present for Mom. She thought about it and told Dad to take it back.She made sure that all five of her children had their needs met. We used to say that she could squeeze 10 cents from a nickel.She was quiet and kept to herself. But occasionally she would have enough.This happened one summer evening . My brothers and I were brats. We were arguing and fighting. Mom was forced to settle matters and started dinner late. When my Dad came home from work, He teased her “, No dinner? what were you doing all day?” My Mother blew up and informed him just what kind of day she had. Then she turned off the stove and walked out of the house. My Dad was stunned but quickly recovered his senses. He told my oldest brother Bob he was in charge while he went after Mom. We children were scared and very subdued. Dad got in the car to look for his wife. He found her almost 2 blocks away and walking past the Catholic church. He drove slowly matching her pace. He said”Honey, I don’t don’t know what I did but I an sorry…please get in the car.” She stopped and replied”I have had a hard day with the kids and you want to tease about your dinner being late. Don’t ever tease me again.”She got in the car and it was a quiet dinner and evening. We were afraid that we had lost our Mother.Through good years and bad they kept the family and each other together with love , and respect for each other’s differences. Thanks to them, I have learned to do the same with my own family. Thanks Mom and Dad!

Two Will Be As One She was poor.He was not. They pledged their lives for a day.Not knowing what the future held.She was quiet.He was loud.They kept quiet their differences to discuss outside children’s ears.They taught how to have a solid marriage by example.We were blessed to have them as parents.

We are starting our second week of plus 90’s.. It is hard to get up early to do outdoor chores in the cool of the day. The humidity level hovers in this cool time in the 70s. The world seems to be slowing down and the conflicts are not limited to the shade. I noted that people driving in air cooled cars are increasing drive by shootings. There were 87 people. shot in Chicago this past weekend 17 died two were children . Some of the children were in their homes and others were in their family’s car. The randomness of the. victims strike me as a shooter playing a video game. Is there a thrill in shooting a gun into a crowd and watching the chaos . The disregard for life of others disturbs me.I wonder what I would do as a blind person? I could tell myself that I would not be in that situation, but did the child asleep in his father’s car ask to be shot? I would probably be a victim. Taking that attitude I would say for the victims,”This is wrong! I have just begun to live my life. What good does your shooting sprees accomplish for the problems in Chicago and other urban areas. The shootings and gun drawing by Police and citizens . Are we so afraid of each other that we must carry a gun? If so it will be a long, hot summer. Please allow cooler heads to lead.

Hot Summer
steamy heat

tempers heat to boil

shots fired,

child down

As we approach the celebration of our nation’s birth, I wonder if equality is an ideal to strive for.The differences between gender and race are highlighted in the news and social media. But what of the subtle discrimination of age, physical and mental issues. As a deaf/ blind woman, I have had many circumstances that I felt discriminated against. The key word in that last statement is,”felt”. If I explore and think about the interaction, I may find that putting myself in the other person shoes will change my point of view.By opening myself to another, I allow a conversation and sharing of views. We all have our unique perception but it is not the only one. Being blind, I can overlook the physical issues of race and gender. But I have difficulty with rude behavior. I have found if I can stay logical and not become emotional, I can listen and share without returning rudeness,we as a people have thin skins and a quick trigger point. A smile or a comment “Tell me about your concern,” will start a interaction to healing.I am not naive, it doesn’t always work but I as an individual and we as a people and nation, need to put as much effort into working towards equality and healing.Remember when you are frustrated at a neighbor, step back, cool your emotions, then have a conversation. Treating others the same is a step towards equality

.Freedom Rings
From the start of this great land,Religion and races slowly united.Each person wished to pursue their own happiness.Emphasizing personal freedom.Down the pages of history,Opposing first tyranny, then each other.Many mistakes were made.Rising from division to unite,Individuals formed a new country.Never did the world see its like. Great in its diversity,still striving to haveFreedom ring!

One hundred years ago commercial radio exploded in large cities and surrounding towns. In Detroit othe station WJR started broadcasting in May of 1922. My Grandfather wired and hooked up speakers to bring the miracle of radio to his small town.

Friends and neighbors came to witness.
Whether this new radio would work in their small town.
One man believed, place an antenna to the clock tower and wired the church. He brought the voice of Detroit thirty miles away to be heard in Northville.
People clapped and cheered.
But their lives would never be the same. It was a warm Thursday in May of 1922. It was before air conditioning or fans. So why were people crowding into the Methodist Church in the middle of the day ?
When the crowd entered the church, they saw a large cabinet in the sanctuary . They talked in low excited voices as they filled the pews.
A few minutes before the hour the assembly caught sight of a disheveled and cobwebbed decorated shirt on Cliff Turnbull. He had been working to wire an antenna to the top of the church’s bell tower. He slowly rolled the wire to the cabinet and clipped the end of the wire to connect it to the cabinet. Fiddling with the dial , a short burst of static was heard before a clear voice was perceived . “This is WJR The great voice of the Great Lakes.
Coming to you from the top of the Fisher Building in downtown Detroit .
The people broke into cheers and applause . This was the first radio broadcast in the country and it was coming to the small town of Northville, thirty miles away from the speaker.
The miracle of radio broadcasting was experienced by many in the Detroit area. But the joy in that Church to hear and be connected to Detroit ushered in a new era of electric communication . Cliff Turnbull was responsible for wiring homes and farms in this small town.

Blind Wash Woman
I am asked,”How do you know when to wash an item?” I have several ways to tell if an article of clothing needs washing.
First , I will sniff the cloth. Items like towels and dish clothes may have a musty smell, likewise clothing or bedding that has not been used for awhile will have a similar musty smell.
I will feel the item. Is there a hard texture to the item. If the clothing folded or in a pile? Are there crumbs in the bedding that is on the bed? Yes to any of these questions will result in the clothing in the hamper.
Once I have the clothing by the washer, I will take each piece and shake it out. I will put dark items and light items together in separate baskets.Towels go in a third basket.
I know that underclothes , sheets,hankies and socks are put in light cloths basket. Jeans, and most t shirts and sweatshirts are put in the dark basket. I may occasionally put the clothing in the wrong basket but it usually isn’t a problem.
I keep the loads separate for washing and drying. I will fold and put clothing in separate piles for myself and my husband. Blankets, sheets and towels are brought up separately.
When I bring them upstairs, I will put them away in the appropriate drawer or shelf.I don’t move the places around so I remember where to find an item.
It is not magic just problem solving and organization .

When our family bought a new appliance, we were excited.
The box was huge.
The boys fought over what it could be used for.
I didn’t care , I wanted to play with the real thing.
We had a washer / dryer that were front loading
There was a glass window to watch the activity.
I would watch the water level rise and fall.
I couldn’t take the clothes out when the load was done.
I loved to watch the dryer.
it reminded me on my kaleidoscope with the colors and shapes forming an imaginary world
I opened the door and crawled inside.
It was hot so I took the clothes out and got in.
I was trying to figure out how to start the dryer. Mom heard a change in the sound of the dryer and came to investigate.. She pulled me from the dryer and warned me to leave her appliances alone until I was much older.