Back Home.....

My trip to NC was pleasant and my mother and I got a lot accomplished.......not necessarily what I'd intended to do, but things that needed to be done anyway.  It was a beautiful drive up.  When I took her home in March, we thought we'd missed the dogwoods, but they are now in full bloom along with the azaleas.  It really is a lovely time of year and all of the color made the trip enjoyable.

As soon as I got there on Tuesday, I got busy putting together a vacuum cleaner and replacing brackets for venetian blinds. Wednesday we ran errands and did some shopping.  Once home, I gave her a perm, which turned out pretty well as you can see.

Thursday was a doctor day.  We went to Albemarle for her eye appointment and this was the first time in months that she didn't have to have a shot in her eye.  The fluid/blood seems to have stopped or dried up.  She has an appointment in 6 weeks and if it stays as is, she will be dismissed for a longer period of time.

We then found the doctor she liked and signed up as a patient again.  When I took her records to Carolina Primary Care upon her return, they said Dr. Obiaja was no longer with them.  We then learned that he was still in town, just with another group.  So we did all of the paperwork to release records, sign up as a patient and then finally see him, which took most of the afternoon.  My mother has been having a sharp pain in her back so we had to go to the hospital for x-rays.  It took so long that we thought we were going to be late to greet my cousin and his wife (Larry & Mona), who were going to bring pizza for dinner.  We wound up having only about 30 minutes to collect ourselves before they arrived........but they were lifesavers as neither of us felt like dealing with dinner after the day we had.  It was nice to see them and catch up.

A little local lore.......one of the things we wanted to do was pick up a bottle of Red Oil.  Red Oil is an antiseptic formula that was developed  and used extensively in textile, furniture factories and the like......in a time long ago when industries and jobs flourished in this area, when we actually produced products instead of just smoke and mirrors.  It's used for healing and taking away the soreness of cuts, scrapes, etc. without the sting of something like alcohol.  It can be used on bug bites.....almost anything.  Read the history HERE.  What the story doesn't tell you is the colloquialism used to describe Red Oil, which is Jesus Oil.......so you know it must be good!!  Finding just the right term or phrase to describe an item or a situation seems to be a Southern "thang" and Jesus Oil has always been one that tickled my fancy.

The coming week is the feast part of my feast-or-famine social cycle.  There are several lunches scheduled, as well as my Living Liberally group and rabies clinics for my kitties.  Since I can only handle two kitties at a time, there will be several trips to get all three vaccinated......but it's a good deal and I'm happy to do it.  I've also volunteered at Palmetto Animal League and am going to have to work that in.  I've wanted to volunteer for something for a long time, but felt that my schedule was too unpredictable for me to be useful. But, I went to PAL to see if they could help rescue some animals for a shelter near my mother, since I was going up that way and could bring some animals back with me.  It was a very sad story when someone discovered that they were taking animals to the local dump or land fill, shooting them and covering them up.  The shelter is under investigation, but still intent on euthanizing the animals.  This time a vet is doing it and someone from the shelter put out a plea to other shelters who might have room for them.  As it turned out, PAL had already taken 4 of them and had no additional room.  So, that wasn't productive; but, I talked to the director and she was fine with my helping whenever I can. 

That's it for now.  Hope all is well where you are.

April: Bits and Pieces

My visit to Savannah was hardly over before the faux-Spring gave way to five days of cold, rainy, dark weather. It was good for "in house' activities, but not so good for walking or doing anything outside..This week we've gotten back into the 70s and low 80s, so it's good to be outside again.

Just saw a good Netflix movie - Get Low - with Robert Duvall and Sissy Spacek.  It was totally captivating and based on a true story.  As I watched it I wondered why it went unnoticed.......possibly because it was just an interesting human interest story (based on true events), with no guns (well, hardly any!), crashes, etc..  Movie preferences are very subjective and I'm sure it would not appeal to everyone, but if you like those actors, you will likely enjoy the story and the performances.

For my own peace of mind, I had to find the name of the "mystery bush" mentioned in the March 22nd post.  It's the Chinese Fringe, which should be easy to remember as the bloom actually looks like fringe.  I think that visual image will help me remember the name from this point forward (though it didn't the first time)!

Have been meaning to mention to Aramcons that Paula J., who lives in Spain, does great volunteer work with an animal rescue group.  You can check out their website HERE and, if you peruse the section of volunteers (The Team, Volunteers Photo Album), you will spot Paula, though you may have to look twice as she has short hair now.  I follow them (and my local Palmetto Animal League) on Facebook.  In Facebook lingo, I'm a "lurker".....following friends and groups, but rarely divulging my own doings (after all, if I did that, what would I write here!!).  To make it even easier, I have this handy, dandy app on Firefox that keeps me informed of all postings for "friends" and groups.  So I see so many beautiful, homeless animals that these groups rescue.  While it breaks my heart in one sense, it makes me especially appreciative of those like Paula you help make their lives easier.  Those who have had pets know the purity of their spirit and devotion......qualities that are hard to find in people.  Domesticated animals have given up the essence of their being to become our companions, and they love us unconditionally.......in the real sense of the term.  Again, something that you don't get from people.  Even most severely abused animals will trust people again if shown the slightest kindness. It's easy to see why some people are so devoted to their pets......and so difficult to understand how anyone could abuse them. 

Not a lot else to report.  Am off to NC on Tuesday and hoping to be back on Friday, assuming I find all in good shape there.  Keep your fingers crossed.