SHS Class of '59

That's Stanford (KY) High School, which no longer exists - now part of Lincoln County High School. I enjoyed talking with my classmates, some of whom I hadn't seen since graduation. No one looked a great deal older - or a great deal younger - than everyone else. There are varying amounts of gray in the hair (except for those who dye theirs and one who wore a wig because of chemo), and varying amounts of hair on the guys' heads.

This was only our third reunion. There was one at ten years, which I missed. My sister was getting married two months later, and I couldn't afford to make two trips from NJ to KY in that short a time. Then we had one at 31 years, which I attended. Now at 50 years, someone has suggested that we have one every year.

There were 29 of us who actually graduated together, but at least six others whom we consider part of us for various reasons. About a third of us have died, which seems like an awfully large percentage considering we're only in our late-60's.

I started my weekend trip on Thursday driving 365 miles to my college-friend Wanda's near McKee KY. I had a wonderful visit with her; it had been 14 years since we'd been together. Then on Saturday morning I drove from there to Danville, where we had the reunion. I drove through Stanford to see what has changed - mainly a new hospital and a new Wal-Mart. I also went to the cemetery and visited my parents' graves.

Sunday morning I had breakfast with one of my classmates and his wife at Shoney's. We were expecting more classmates to join us, but they didn't. After breakfast I drove to my sister's house in Louisville. I got to see my new grand-nephew who was born on June 1. Even normal-size babies are tiny, aren't they? His big brother, who just turned four and has been prepared for months to have a little brother, may be a bit jealous at times. His parents and grandparents will make sure he gets enough attention, though, so it will work out OK.

We're still talking about the Ice Storm:

As I drove around the state, I was watching for signs of ice-storm damage. There was not much along the southern part and in the mountains near Wanda's home, but more as I got west and north. As an aside: the last couple of hours of driving in Thursday and the first hour and a half on Saturday reminded me that I really like flat land. We have some hills around here, but they're little ones. Back to the ice storm: as I drove home on the Western KY Parkway Monday, I saw more and more trees that look like they belong in a Dr Seuss book.

Accidents:

Sunday morning on my way to Louisville, I missed the 151 shortcut to I-64. I was in the wrong lane and didn't have time to get over when I realized that was where I should turn. I thought about turning around and going back, but decided that it wasn't very far to the intersection of the road I was on and I-64. I had no sooner gotten up to speed on I-64, than I had to slow down - really slow. You know what they say about our crazy American idioms in which we say we drive on a parkway but park in a driveway? Well, Sunday I parked on a parkway. While we were creeping along, a towtruck went up the shoulder beside me. Then in a few minutes I saw a helicopter descending. At that point, we all turned off our engines - we weren't going anywhere with a helicopter on the road in front of us. I rolled down the window and later opened the door, grabbed my knitting and got a few rows done while we waited. After tha helicopter lifted off, we started moving slowly. At the accident scene there were three fire trucks, an ambulance, police cars and that towtruck. I caught a glimpse of a red car in the trees of the median, but don't know if there was a second one or not.

Monday morning, at the end of the Parkway entrance at Leitchfield, there were signs of the sort that usually say "mowing zone," but the first ones said "accident ahead" and the second said "right lane closed." Then there were traffic cones to make sure we all got in the left lane. Finally there was the accident. It involved two tractor-trailer rigs. One looked like it was going to go east in the west-bound lane, while the other had its rather beaten-up nose up against the trees beside the road.

I enjoyed my trip, but was glad to get home. I mainly rested yesterday, but I did go out a pull a few weeds. Then about 6:15 I met Lexi, Alyssa and Trevor at a Mexican restaurant in Fulton to celebrate Lexi's eighth birthday. They had a mariachi band playing. They came to uor table and sang Happy Birthday to Lexi.

Medical:

Today was an oncology visit for me. Last Wendesday, when I went into the treatment room, the nurse brought me a pill and said that it was for nausea. Medicare now wants me to take that pill rather than have the drip they've been giving me. She said she'd call a prescription in to the drug store and from now on I would take the pills with me when I go for my Velcade. When I went to the drug store an hour later, they said that she hadn't called yet. Since I didn't need it until today, I said that I'd pick it up before I went to this appointment. I went there this afternoon and they still didn't have it. So I went to the Cancer Group to get a paper prescription. The nurse said she'd forgotten to call, but that they could give me from their supply today. Then she called in that prescritpion as well as one for potassium. When I got to the drug store, they had the potassium ready but not the anti-nausea drug. The pharmacist said that the insurance require a pre-approval for that one. She tried to call the Cancer Center, but it was after 5 p.m. and the phone was on the answering service. She said she'll call them tomorrow and let them know they have to get pre-approval. It's good I don't need it until next Wednesday!

Pam's Prayer Shawl

When I was at the Senior Center about a week and a half ago, I was telling Pam, Tamy and whoever else was in the foyer at that time about the prayer shawl ministry (an update on that follows). Pam said, "I need a prayer shawl." I started to say that I was working on that, but I wasn't sure that the one I was working on was for her. It will be a lovely shawl when I finish it, but it is tan and rather drab. Last Monday I was thinking about that when I lay down on the couch - not for a nap, just because I was tired of sitting up. I dozed off, of course, and when I awoke I knew that I wanted something colorful for Pam. I went to my yarn supply and got two yarns - one is called Reef Stripe and the other Light Teal. The Reef Stripe has turquoise, coral, medium blue, yellow, and light green; the light teal is a solid color. I alternated two rows each in a stitch pattern that is often called the bee stitch.

I took the shawl with me today when I took the car to the shop (It has cut out on me several times recently and at times the transmission seemed to be slipping.), hoping that I'd have time to take it to Pam. The only thing they found wrong with the car was low transmission fluid level. They put in more fluid and also a gas treatment, and I was out of there a little after 9 a.m. I went to the Senior Center and had several of the seniors and staff members put their hands on the shawl while offering prayers/blessings/good thoughts for Pam. Then I took it to her office and draped it around her shoulders while repeating my favorite blessing from Numbers 6:24-26. Pam said she really needed that today. Her red blood cell count has dropped in spite of the treatment she's been getting, so she has an appointment with Dr Winkler today to discuss other treatment options.

The Grace Church Knitting Ministry

On Sunday May 17, we had the first blessing of prayer shawls and laprobes during a regular service. Libby (the rector) had the shawls draped over pews scattered around the church. Her sermon was mainly an explanation of the prayer shawl ministry, which tied in well with the scripture readings for the day which were about loving and caring for our neighbors. Then she asked anyone who was near one of the shawls to pick it up and hold it to join in the blessing of them.

One woman stopped beside me on her way back from communion and asked if she could buy a shawl to take to her cousin in a nursing home. I told her that they are not for sale, but she could take one for her cousin. She said, "You mean you'd give me one to give to someone else." I told her that is how the ministry works. Even at coffee hour, she was insisting that she couldn't take a shawl without paying for it. I told her to talk to Libby about it. Her husband went to Libby, who told him that the shawls are not for sale, but that he could make a donation that would be used to buy more yarn. That satisfied them. I think that since Libby told the congregation that I had made all of the shawls and laprobes there that day, many people got the impression that I'm the only one involved.

That Monday, another woman from the parish called me and asked if I could use her mother's yarn. Her mother has knit scarves and watchcaps for the Seaman's Church Institute for years, but can no longer do it. I said we'd be glad to have that yarn, and arranged for her husband to take it to the church when he went to a committee meeting during the week. On Wednesday, I got an email from the church secretary saying that he had brought in four tubs of yarn. The following Sunday I looked at the yarn, There are four of the blue Rubbermaid containers that are about 14"x 20" x 15" deep. They are not all packed full, but almost, so it's a lot of yarn.

Last Thursday evening I went to a knitting night with the Presbyterians that I mentioned a few posts ago. One other woman from Grace was there, as well as three Presbyterians. It was a pleasant couple of hours even though it was such a small group.

New Medicine

The Revlimid was delivered by UPS on Monday. I waited until Tuesday evening to start taking it, because I wanted to make sure exactly how I'm supposed to take it. It seems to have the same 'sleeping pill' effect that the Thalidomide did. During the time that I was not taking either medication, I often had trouble going back to sleep when I awoke in the middle of the night. It's been nice the last few nights not having that problem.

Yesterday I realized an advantage ? to the neuropathy in my feet - I can't feel that my toe is sticking out through a hole in my sock!

Yardwork:

I got up about 6 this morning, and had my coffee and oatmeal on the front porch. Then I sat out there and knitted for a couple of hours. I was working on my great-nephew Tony's afghan. I'm finally a bit over halfway done.

Then I spent about four hours alternately picking up the branches I trimmed from the crabapple tree several weeks ago, and resting on the back porch. After it was all picked up, I mowed that corner and the 'holidays' Robbie (next door neighbor) had left in the front yard when he mowed a few days ago. He's legally blind, so he doesn't get too close to the trees with his riding mower. I just appreciate his doing any of the mowing for me. He says he likes to mow. I think he likes to prove that he can do it. After he mowed, I went over to thank him and he told me that he fell a few weeks ago and cracked his shoulder blade and broke a finger. I knew I hadn't seen much of him, but had seen a lot of his family members. He's not happy about their being there so much - even spending the night, but I think it's nice that they're so concerned about him.

Cooking & Inkle-ing

Yesterday, Alyssa had to take classes at Red Cross, so Lexi spent Friday night with me. She came into my room about 7 a.m. with my keys in her hand, asking which one opens the back door. I told her and she said she was going to have a surprise for me. A few minutes later, she wanted to know whether the water or the coffee went into the machine first. (It's a little cup-at-a-time machine.) I said it didn't matter.
Then, "The coffee goes into the little brown cup?"
"Right."
"Should I empty it?"
"Yes."
A minute or two later, she was back with the coffee scoop. "I leveled it off. How many do I use?"
"Just one."
Then in a few minutes she was back with a small tray holding the cup of coffee, a ciabatta roll which she had sliced open, toasted, buttered and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar, and a peony.
Pretty good for an almost-eight-year-old!

Then at lunchtime, she wanted to cook again, so she scrambled eggs while I microwaved fully-cooked, frozen sausage.

Inkle-ing:

She came and sat on my lap about mid-morning. She pointed over my shoulder and asked what that machine in the corner is - "it has thread on it." I told her that it is an inkle loom and that I'd show her how to use it if she brought it to me. I had put a warp in it over a year ago and wove four or five inches. She wanted to know what that narrow fabric could be used for. I told her that people sometimes use it for guitar straps - "Oh, I can give it to Daddy." - or for purse straps - "You can make the bottom part of a purse for Mommy and use that for straps. As a joint effort, we wove a couple of feet of 'strap.' Later we wove another couple of feet.

I don't know what's wrong with Blogger, but I can't move the picture of the inkle loom down to where I want it. Nor the one of Alyssa and Lexi with my birthday cake and gift.

The week so far

Last week, Dr Winkler said that he was going to add Revlimid to my treatment regimen. Monday I got a phone call from Mindy at Diplomat Pharmacy. She said that they had put the Revlimid through my insurance and that my co-pay would be $2000. WHAT!? So she will present it to the Chronic Disease Fund, and if accepted my co-pay would be $25. I said I could afford that. She took some financial information from me, and said they would be calling both Dr Winkler and me. Tuesday, Dr W asked if I had received the medicine yet. I said that I hadn't, but told him about the phone call the previous day. He called in Donna Marie who handles such things for him. She had a fax that she had received the previous day with the same information I had just reported. The Pharmacy called again today. I've been approved for assistance from the Chronic Disease Fund, so they will UPS the capsules for Monday delivery (I told her I will be out much of the day on Friday). She then transferred me to Celgene, the manufacturer of both Revlimid and Thalomid to take a survey. It's the same as I was taking for Thalomid. Revlimid is a cousin of Thalomid. It has not been tested on humans for birth defects, but it has caused birth defects in animals. Once again, I promise not to get pregnant.

The Celgene representative asked if I had any Thalomid left over and I said that I did. She asked if she should send a return authorization. That will be good. I'll be glad to get it out of the house.

Knitting:

As Dr W walked into the exam room yesterday, I was saying, "Oh, shit!" He asked what was wrong, and I replied that I has just dropped some stitches off the end of the knitting needle. Then I held up my work and asked if he thought a man who works on the barges on the river would wear a scarf that color - fuschia! He said that he might, which was not the answer I expected. But then he added, "But he might get teased a lot." That's more like it. I said I guess that had better become a shawl rather than a seaman's scarf.

After I got my Velcade, Zometa, etc, I went to Market Square Coffee. I got a sandwich at Kirchoff's next door and a cup of coffee. I sat there and ate lunch and knitted for an hour or so. One of my knitting friends owns the coffee shop, but she wasn't there. When I saw her at the knitting guild meeting later she said that Tuesday is her day off. Then I went to Kohl's, Lowes, WalMart and Home Depot. All I bought was three packages of herb seeds - tarragon, parsley, and basil. I called the yarn shop from Kohl's parking lot and asked if the knitting guild was meeting at 7 pm. Maureen said it was, so I decided to find a place to sit and knit after I had finished my other errands.

I really enjoyed the meeting. It was a great bunch of women (about a dozen), some of whom I hadn't seen for a while. I mentioned the charity knitting group we're trying to start at Grace Church, and Stephanie asked if we'd like to join the small group at First Presbyterian. I think that might work well. I plan to tell Libby (our rector) about it when I see her on Friday.

Yard work:

When I woke up during the night, I thought it was raining, but the bird bath was dry this morning, so I guess it was just the wind that I heard. I was glad if that, because I was able to mow. I finished the second round of mowing and started the third - two and a half tankfulls of gas. I was only going to do two sessions, but that put me in the middle of the fenced-in area and I didn't want to leave it that way. Now it will be Saturday before I can do more because of other things scheduled for tomorrow and Friday. Maybe t won't grow too much taller by then.

The roof is done!

Here's some of the crew this morning. They arrived a little after eight this morning and left about 6 pm - long day, but I guess they wanted to get it finished as badly as I wanted them to finish.

Knitting:

My niece is expecting her second child within a month, so I figured it was time to knit a baby blanket. The baby is a boy and will be named Liam. I made a blanket with nine squares, four spelling out his name and five with sun, moon, star, tree and heart motifs. This picture is of the back (note that the L is backwards) and the one below is the front.

I started it on Saturday. Today when I was finishing it, I kept thinking of some of the words in Rite II, Eucharistic Prayer C in the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer, which is the one we used at church yesterday: "At your command all things came to be: the vast expanse of interstellar space, galaxies, suns, the planets in their courses, and this fragile earth, our island home."

The star, tree and heart motifs are from one of my stitch dictionaries, but the other things are from my own charts.

Jill, you asked about the green shawl in one of my recent posts. That is an Elizabeth Zimmerman Pie Are Square shawl. The pattern is in her book Knitting Around. It is more a method than a pattern. I have made several of them, because it is so easy to remember. You can do it in garter stitch if you just feel like knitting (with a few yarn overs thrown in), or you can put in lace stitches if you want more of a challenge.

Shingles - the non-medical kind

Carmen called me about 7 this morning. I was still in bed. For her it was about 8 and she was on her way to work. During the conversation, she asked if we'd been getting the rain they have and how my roof was holding up to it. Yes, we've had a lot of rain, but since the roofer had covered the bare spot on the roof it hasn't leaked. She reminded me again that Bobby would love to come out and do the job for me. He's been working in construction, including roofing, for three years or so. I told her it's easier for me to let the local guy, who knows the area, do it. About two hours later, I heard vehicles in the driveway. Usually they're for next door, but I looked out anyway. There were two trucks, one of which bore a load of shingles. They used a conveyor belt to get them up to the roof and that truck went back to the building supplier. Then another big truck came and backed up to the house to collect the old shingles, etc. The crew worked for several hours and will be back tomorrow if it doesn't rain. At least they finished the area that had lost the most shingles, and didn't leave any area bare in case it does rain.