Hits and Misses (May 20-26)

Due to Monday’s observance of Memorial Day with my family, this week’s edition of “Hits and Misses” comes to you a few days later than normal. I’ll return to my semi-regular routine next week. For now, here’s a look back at the week that was…..

HITS

• On Monday, Mom had an appointment at West Clinic. The exam was very routine and quick, so we decided to stop and pick up a few things at the nearby Kroger. As we waited to check out, Mom received a call rescheduling another doctor’s appointment and then we faced the ludicrous necessity of providing identification to purchase white wine for a new recipe. (Even though she looks great for her age, it is clear that my mother is over 21!) Once we loaded the car, I began the drive back to Arkansas so we could miss the bulk of the evening’s traffic. As we neared downtown Memphis, I looked down to locate my phone….and it was nowhere to be found. I had Mom call my number, expecting to hear it ring in the rear of the car with the groceries. Instead, a woman answered and asked if we were calling about the phone left in the buggie at the Germantown Kroger! UGH! I spoke with the woman and asked her to return my phone to the customer service desk where I would pick it up. I immediately turned the car around and headed back to Germantown. Nearly 30 minutes later, Mom and I returned to the market where I was reunited with my phone. My only regret in this entire scene is that I did not have a way to properly thank the honest woman who graciously returned my phone. It was nice to discover once again that good people continue to do acts of kindness for strangers.
• After driving from Texas and reacquainting my body with an unfamiliar mattress, I was very thankful that I could enjoy a much-needed massage in the middle of the week. I’m beginning to feel human again.
• With the aid of modern technology, I was able to witness my youngest niece’s high school graduation. Congratulations, Sara!

MISSES

• I have never enjoyed watching a circus – literally or figuratively. I found myself attending one this week and was very glad when I could leave.
• It seems that I have grown to appreciate some aspects of the slower life I have in west Texas. The busy traffic patterns of Memphis tested my nerves this week. I’m glad that I am in a position at the moment to choose when I travel the interstates because I rarely have an appointment in the city that I simply must keep.
• More sickness descended on the Geriatric Ward this week. I found myself unable to leave the house and had very little energy to get off of the couch. By the week’s end, it seems I have conquered the worst of the bug, but I’m still not back to normal yet. I’m beginning to wonder if I ever will be!

Hits and Misses (May 13-19)

Despite a few weeks’ absence from my blog, I’m still here. Rather than trying to catch up on everything that has happened, I will keep it simple.  Here’s a look back at the week that was….

HITS

• It’s so good to be back in the Geriatric Ward. After a long, stressful year, I desperately needed some time with my family. I’m glad I’m at home for a while to recharge and heal.
• One of the best parts of being home again is the joy of comfort food. Of course, Mom immediately went to some of my favorite recipes. The most comforting of all, however, is always the Chicken Cordon Bleu casserole we discovered several years ago. It’s a simple rice-based dish with ham, chicken, and cheese that was originally published by Paula Deen. (Did you really expect anything less from the Geriatric Ward?) Even though it wasn’t a staple from my childhood, few dishes remind me of home and its security more than the casserole….and it doesn’t hurt that I REALLY like the dish!
• At one of his recent meetings, Pop won an Amazon Fire Stick. He had no clue what it was and handed it to me to figure out. Yep….in my family, I’m considered the technologically advanced one. That’s a frightening prospect! Anyway, the Fire Stick was really easy to set up and I absolutely love having access to my Hulu and Netflix subscriptions on the television. Now I can watch comfortably on the couch and share the fun with others in the room much more easily. That means there has been a lot of movie watching in the Geriatric Ward this week. I’ve watched Captain America: First Avenger and Iron Man personally. (Thanks Anthony and Franchesca for getting me hooked on the Marvel movies!) Mom’s viewing has been a little more mainstream — Joyful Noise (what a horrible flick!) and The Lovely Bones. The coming weeks may include some interesting viewings for this movie-loving family….stay tuned!
• On Friday, I finally made an overdue trip to the Apple Store to find out what the problem was with my iPad keyboard. When I showed the staff at the Genius Bar what was happening when I connected the keyboard, the looks on their faces were priceless. It was clear that they had never seen a situation quite like this one. Even though the item was no longer covered by warranty, the Apple team was very accommodating and provided a replacement anyway since it was clear to everyone that there was something horribly wrong with the keyboard. I suppose this means that I have no excuse to not get some writing done now….
• On Saturday, Jacqs and Shane made their way to the bustling burg of Crawfordsville with Jack-Jack. This was the first time that this two-year-old bundle of energy had much interaction with either me or my parents. The Geriatrics were worn out by the end of their visit, but we all had a great time with the toddler — and his parents, too!

 

MISSES

• Traveling on Mother’s Day was not exactly the gift that I had hoped to give this year, but it was necessary. After a long week in Plainview that had been plagued by illness for all three of us at various times, it was time to get everyone home to the Geriatric Ward. When I got sick at week’s end, the plan to play the morning service at CHBC and then depart was quickly altered. When we hit the Arkansas state line around 3pm, I knew we could make it home before nightfall. It was a long day of driving, but I think everyone was glad that we just got all of the traveling done so we could rest in our own beds that night.
• It seems to be par for the Spring for me, but I spent much of the week sick again. There doesn’t appear to be any infection, just a lot of drainage that has made me feel yucky and completely unable to breathe. Since I can’t breathe, I find myself choking and experiencing fits of coughing. This is the pits. By the end of the week, things had finally gotten better but I’m still not completely over the crud. As much as I was hoping to avoid it, another trip to the ENT may be in my future.
• The tragedy at Santa Fe High School has consumed much of my thoughts this week. We must provide a safe environment for our children as they focus on their education. However, I don’t think that gun control is the solution. Neither is armed staff. And there’s the biggest problem in my opinion…..everyone is looking for the “simple” solution to a very complex problem. It seems to me that we must figure out the solution to the source of the problem — horribly hurting kids who are hurting others — rather than simply addressing the effects of the base cause. I don’t have the solution by any means, but I think we as a society have a responsibility to all involved to begin to figure it out together.